WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON // Newcastle United won a first domestic trophy in 70 years against Liverpool, with Arne Slot's side faltering in the Carabao Cup final with a disappointing performance.
Newcastle struck first, with Dan Burn netting from a Kieran Trippier corner kick just as the clock ticked over to 45 minutes. Breaking the deadlock in what had been a scrappy half, the Magpies defenders combined to send the east end of Wembley delirious.
Alexander Isak doubled the Newcastle lead shortly after half-time and from there, no matter what the Reds tried, they couldn't find a way back into the contest despite a late Federico Chiesa consolation. Here are the four things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
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Mohamed Salah and Liverpool attack struggles
There was little in the way of proper creativity from either side during the first half with Liverpool failing to have a shot on Nick Pope's goal. Newcastle, though it was battling, also seemed to lose a bit of energy as the first 45 minutes elapsed. This game, as many finals are, was always likely to be tightly fought, but this was particularly cagey.
That was until Burn scored the opener. When Isak doubled the Newcastle lead soon after the restart for the second half, the game was only going one way. Liverpool wasn't able to match the required physicality.
Arne Slot's side played best when it was already too late and even then, it couldn't force a goal over the line. Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa injected something fresh into the attack, but the Reds never really looked that threatening. Mohamed Salah was anonymous, though no more so than either of the other players who started in the Liverpool front three.
Virgil van Dijk demand ignored
There was no Anthony Gordon for Newcastle because of suspension, but Liverpool had issues of its own. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez all being out at the same time was hulgey unfortunate — but not for Jarell Quansah.
The Warrington-born defender was handed the chance to start at Wembley. Out of position and up against a tricky customer in the former Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, he did relatively well.
The game wasn't lost for Liverpool in defense, though Virgil van Dijk would no doubt rather not have conceded twice. Instead, the attack just never got going.
In midfield, there was a lack of movement and creativity. Van Dijk was screaming at those in front of him to offer some more options on numerous occasions; that never arrived even when Arne Slot threw on various new options.
Bruno Guimaraes proven right
The was Arne Slot's first trip to Wembley — and only his fourth final as a manager (he won just one and lost two with Feyenoord, with all three games ending 1-0). Inexperienced as he is, though, Liverpool was participating in its 15th League Cup final (five more than any other side) while it had already won the trophy 10 times, two more than anyone else.
Newcastle’s last major domestic trophy win was the 1955 FA Cup, beating Manchester City 3-1. It made the Carabao Cup final in 2022 but this was still a huge occasion — the swirling scarves and greater pre-match excitement from the east side of Wembley a testament to the rarity.
Liverpool had the experience but this was the game of Newcastle's lives. Bruno Guimaraes called it their "World Cup" heading into the game and so that kind of intensity should not have come as a surprise. The Brazilian was proven right without much it meant, while Liverpool was simply unable to match it.
Liverpool focus returns to Premier League
At one stage, it was reasonable to ask if winning the Carabao Cup could be a boost in Liverpool's pursuit of the Premier League title. Could it give a timely lift? Even with Arsenal beating Chelsea earlier in the day, though, that silverware looks like a foregone conclusion at this stage — with nine games left each, there is a 12-point gap.
In both regards, that is now an irrelevance. Newcastle will get the boost of winning silverware and this could really ignite the regime under the Saudi owners, especially if it can qualify for the Champions League. For Liverpool, the focus is back to getting over the line in the league campaign. Assuming nothing incredible happens, that will at least be a consolation.
