Next Sunday, Liverpool and Newcastle United will face off in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Liverpool, the Premier League leaders, are heavy favorites to lift the trophy, especially given recent events that have weakened Newcastle’s squad.
Last weekend, Anthony Gordon received a three-match suspension after being sent off in Newcastle’s FA Cup clash against Brighton, ruling him out of the final. Additionally, injuries to defenders Lewis Hall and Sven Botman have further depleted Newcastle’s options, leaving Eddie Howe with significant selection headaches.
Stan Collymore, in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, believes Liverpool are clear favorites but suggests Newcastle could pose a threat if they play without fear.
“Liverpool will likely approach the final with a more relaxed mindset compared to Newcastle,” Collymore said. “The Carabao Cup isn’t their top priority this season, as they’re more focused on the Premier League and Champions League. This lack of pressure could help them replicate their best form and perform naturally on the day.”
He added, “Anthony Gordon’s absence is a huge blow for Newcastle. His pace and ability to exploit the wide-open spaces at Wembley would have been crucial, especially if counter-attacking was part of Howe’s gameplan.”
“On the flip side, Newcastle could use their underdog status to their advantage. With everyone expecting them to lose, the pressure is off. This could free them up to deliver a big performance and potentially spring a surprise. The lack of expectations might even fuel their ambition to upset the odds.”
Collymore concluded, “However, I still think Liverpool will win. Newcastle’s absence of Gordon, Hall, and Botman is a significant hurdle, and the mental toll of their trophy drought could weigh on some players. Liverpool’s relaxed approach and ability to perform under normal circumstances should see them through. I predict a 2-0 or 3-1 victory for Liverpool.”
