Liverpool vs Newcastle: EFL Cup Final Preview | Mac Allister Misses Out – Predicted Lineups | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Newcastle – EFL Cup Final Preview

Date – 16th March 2025

Venue – Wembley

Kick-off – 16.30

After Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage, they must now pick themselves up, forget about their penalty shootout loss to PSG and focus on the first available trophy of this season. The EFL Cup is the chance to eradicate the upset from midweek and use this Sunday as a momentum-building platform before channelling all remaining efforts on the pursuit of a 20th English League crown.

Newcastle is a gifted and well-organised side which will be desperate to garner some silverware for a desperate fanbase, making this Wembley encounter a tantalizing occasion for all football supporters.

Newcastle United Availability

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will be without several key players: Lewis Hall and Sven Botman are both ruled out with injury, as lifelong Liverpool fan, Anthony Gordon, is suspended for this game after a recent red card.

In terms of recent form, the Geordies beat West Ham 0-1 at the London Stadium after they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the 5th round stage due to a 1-2 defeat at home to Brighton. A 2-0 loss to Liverpool was also incurred at Anfield in the Premier League before that cup encounter, where they currently sit 6th in the table with 47 points taken from 28 games played.

The predicted lineup for Newcastle, using a 4-3-3 formation, is as follows: The inability to call upon a suspended Anthony Gordon should mean a more aggressive approach will be taken in the middle of the park. Newcastle possess a powerful and physical midfield three and will look to control that area of the pitch and release their world-class striker, Alexander Isak in transition.

GK – Nick Pope

RB – Kieron Trippier

RCB – Fabian Schär

LCB – Dan Burn

LB – Tino Livramento

CM – Sandro Tonali

CM – Bruno Guimarães

CM – Joelinton

RW – Jacob Murphy

CF – Alexander Isak

LW – Harvey Barnes

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez who has sustained a hamstring injury, one that could keep him sidelined for much of the remainder of the season. Tyler Morton is injured for an undetermined period and Conor Bradley has also sustained a hamstring strain that could keep him sidelined until after the upcoming international break. After the midweek loss to PSG, it became clear that Trent Alexander Arnold would not be available for the final, whereas Ibrahima Konaté should overcome any issue to start this game.

Before the 0-1 loss at home to PSG came the weekend 3-1 win over Southampton, which followed the Reds 0-1 win away to PSG in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie. Before those games came their 2-0 home victory to Newcastle. With 29 matches played in the English top tier, Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an outstanding 70-point tally, meaning only 16 points are needed to secure a 20th League title.

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this Wembley final against a team that will be desperate to bring silverware back to St James Park.

GK: Alisson Becker

RB: Jarell Quansah

RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB: Andy Robertson

CM: Ryan Gravenberch

ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai

CM: Curtis Jones

RF: Mohamed Salah

CF: Darwin Núñez

LF: Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to start quick and attempt to pin back their opponents. The lack of a designated left back should see the flanks a keen focus for Arne Slot’s men, as the offensive and defensive strength of the Merseyside giants should see them over the line in a hard-fought contest.

Player to Watch:

Virgil van Dijk

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 1 Newcastle