Liverpool vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English League Cup | Final

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Newcastle are just one win away from a first major trophy in 56 years as take on Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley.

Kick-off date/time: Sunday March 16th 2025: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+

Liverpool Preview: Perfect chance to bounce back

Despite boasting a one-goal aggregate lead going into a home second-leg, Liverpool found themselves knocked out of the Champions League in stunning fashion by Paris Saint-German. Losing 0-1 after 90 minutes plus extra time, the penalties went the way of Luis Enrique’s side, dumping out the league phase winners.

However, Arne Slot and his men have been afforded the ideal opportunity to come back strongly at the first attempt. This final will serve as Slot’s first official shot of winning silverware as Liverpool boss, although he is all but guaranteed to lift the Premier League in a couple of months. A winner of cup finals with Feyenoord, Slot will be confident of success.

Newcastle Preview: History in the making

The last time Newcastle United listed a major trophy was back in 1969, winning a competition that no longer exists today, the Inter-City Fairs Cup. Since then, it’s been nothing but misery for Geordies despite a number of close calls. Domestic cup finals have come and gone, such as in 1998 and 1999, not to mention most recently in 2023 when the Magpies were beaten by Man Utd in the League Cup final.

Sunday sees Eddie Howe’s side get another opportunity to make themselves legends in the city of Newcastle by delivering that major honour that fans have craved for so long. But to do so, they must put in the performance of their lives against runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool Team News: Right-back shortage

The Reds will likely be forced into playing Jarell Quansah at the back with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez all out injured. However, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be passed fit in what would be a huge boost for Liverpool.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota

Unavailable: Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Gomez (Injured)

Questionable: Konate (Fitness)

Newcastle Team News: Gordon suspended

The critical blow from the Magpies point is attacker Anthony Gordon’s suspended after getting sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup. As a result, he joins defenders Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamal Lascelles on the sidelines, all of who are out injured with Botman and Hall particularly big misses.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Unavailable: Botman (Injured), Gordon (Suspended), Hall (Injured), Lascelles (Injured)

Questionable:

Liverpool vs Newcastle Prediction

There’s no doubt that Newcastle as a stronger, more composed team compared to the Magpies we saw in the League Cup final two years ago, when they froze on the big occasion. They’ve gained so much big match experience since then through playing in the Champions League and Eddie Howe will have no doubt approached things differently on this occasion in terms of preparation and a gameplan.

But the suspension of Gordon cannot be underestimated. His pace would’ve been priceless on the counter-attack and without it, you could argue that Newcastle are over-reliant on Alexander Isak going forward. The loss of defenders such as Botman and Hall are also huge, with Mo Salah no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Newcastle backline without those two.

Liverpool’s ruthless final experience remains with plenty of their squad having tasted success together in one-off matches at Wembley when a major trophy is on the line. Newcastle meanwhile, have failed to beat Liverpool in all competitions since 2015, a run of 17 games. With all this in mind, it’s well worth backing the Reds to inflict more cup final heartbreak on the Geordies and win the first domestic cup of the season.

Liverpool vs Newcastle Tip: Liverpool to win