The stage is set for an electrifying showdown on Sunday evening as Liverpool and Newcastle United clash in the EFL Cup final, both vying to secure the first available silverware of the 2024/25 season.
For Liverpool, it is a chance to add to their storied trophy cabinet, while Newcastle will be aiming to end a decades-long wait for major honours.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is OUT of the final ?pic.twitter.com/Hb64QvV12B
Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Sunday 16 March, 17:30
Wembley Stadium
Liverpool looked set to compete on four fronts heading into the final stages of the season as they searched for the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup trophies, but 2025 has seen them disappointingly crash out of two competitions.
Defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and a penalty loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League has seen their hopes of glory shrink to just two competitions, and the Premier League is virtually secured as they hold a 15-point lead.
Arne Slot will be hopeful of adding a second trophy to his debut season total, with the chance of besting Newcastle United to lift the EFL Cup on Sunday, the first available silverware of the season.
While the Reds lost to PSG last time out, that defeat is their only loss in the last eight games, securing five wins and two draws in that time, including a dominant 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League.
However, the Magpies will be boosted by the availability of talisman Alexander Isak for the final, after the striker missed out on the Premier League clash due to an injury concern, though Anthony Gordon is suspended.
Newcastle certainly have more reason than most to be motivated for Sunday’s encounter, with the Magpies looking to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, having last lifted the FA Cup in 1955.
Eddie Howe’s men fell short in their last appearance in the EFL Cup final in 2022/23, losing 2-0 to Manchester United, and they will be desperate to make amends for that defeat, meaning they should be extremely determined on Sunday.
Newcastle will have to overcome a foe that have had their number over the past years, though, as Liverpool have avoided defeat in all of the last 17 meetings with the Magpies – dating back to December 2015 – with the Reds winning 12 in that time.
Team News
Liverpool are expected to remain without Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton, while Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both doubts after sustaining injuries in the defeat to PSG during midweek.
Jarell Quansah is likely to start at right-back in Trent’s absence, while the only other change from the team that started midweek is likely to see Cody Gakpo start ahead of Diogo Jota in attack.
As for Newcastle, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles are all out with long-term injuries, while Gordon is also unavailable after receiving a red card against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Harvey Barnes or Joe Willock could take Gordon’s place on the left wing, partnering Isak and Jacob Murphy in attack, while Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier will start in full-back positions.
Martin Dubravka may also be given the nod ahead of Nick Pope in goal, as the Slovakian has started, and impressed in, several of the cup matches in recent months.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo
Newcastle United Predicted XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Tripper; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
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Bet9ja Tips
While Newcastle Utd should be extremely driven to end their decades-long major trophy drought, Liverpool are undoubtedly the favourites heading into the contest, particularly given their dominance over the Magpies in past meetings.
We do expect the match to be a closely-fought encounter, but we ultimately expect Liverpool to come out on top.
Mohamed Salah is sure to be a key reason for any potential Liverpool success, as the Egyptian is recording a monumental season for the Reds, boasting a sensational 32 goals and 22 assists in 42 appearances this term.
The winger has scored in seven of his last eight domestic matches, and we expect Salah to score once again here. You can get odds of 2.10 for this to happen with Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing, 90 minutes only): Liverpool win: 1.70, Draw: 4.05, Newcastle United win: 4.80
