Liverpool and Newcastle can win their first trophy of the season

Liverpool and Newcastle United will compete for the first major silverware of the English football campaign on Sunday when they lock horns in the Carabao Cup final.

For the Reds, it’s an opportunity to retain their title after they triumphed in last year’s showpiece event. They are the competition’s most decorated club, with the weekend contest offering them the chance to claim an 11th crown.

By contrast, Newcastle have never won the Carabao Cup in any of its guises, twice beaten finalists previously. Their defeat in the 2022/23 final extended their wait for significant silverware, with the Magpies last lifting a major trophy in 1955. That drought could end this weekend.

Newcastle don’t have an impressive record against Liverpool – last beating them in 2015 – but will catch them at a rare fragile moment during Arne Slot’s debut campaign. After playing 120 minutes and being dumped out of the Champions League midweek, the Magpies could take advantage of any mental and physical fatigue.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a significant absentee for the Reds after he sustained an ankle injury in Tuesday’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Slot has confirmed that he’s unavailable for the final and with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also sidelined, Liverpool have a dilemma at right-back.

Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo and even Curtis Jones will be considered for the role against Newcastle – Slot suggesting the latter can operate there during his pre-match press conference – while there’s also the possibility that Kostas Tsimikas or Andy Robertson fill the void.

Tyler Morton is Liverpool’s only other guaranteed absentee, the midfielder currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ibrahima Konate is also a doubt after sustaining a knock against PSG but is expected to feature.

Slot has a decision to make over starting Caoimhin Kelleher or Alisson in between the sticks, the former having played the bulk of Carabao Cup matches this season. There’s also likely to be a recall for Cody Gakpo, who returned from injury via the bench midweek.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.