Hello and welcome to the DEE SPORT’S live coverage of the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley. The Reds will be looking to retain the trophy they won last year and lift it for a record 11th time.
But they will go into the showpiece on the back of a heart-breaking loss in midweek. The runaway Premier League leaders saw their Champions League hopes come crashing down against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday as the French side prevailed in a penalty shoot-out.
For Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, a trip to the capital could be the perfect way to lift his players. The Dutchman has the chance to earn a memorable double in his first season in charge, too, with the league title as good as secured for the Reds.
The Carabao Cup is not a piece of silverware to be sniffed at, though. Last season Jurgen Klopp had one of his most memorable days as Liverpool manager when his injury-ravaged team overcame Chelsea after extra-time.
Newcastle will certainly be desperate to win it. The Magpies lost at this stage two years ago against Manchester United and will have another chance to end a domestic trophy drought that goes back to 1955.
Both sides will be without key players. Trent Alexander-Arnold will not feature for the Reds due to injury while the Magpies will be without first-team regulars in Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and the suspended Anthony Gordon.
The Carabao Cup is scheduled to start at 4.30pm (GMT) with team news coming at 3.30pm. Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle, Theo Squires and Keifer MacDonald will be in place shortly to bring you live build-up, goal updates and reaction from Wembley
Liverpool team confirmed
The Liverpool team is in for the final
Kelleher; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, McConnell
Two changes from midweek. Gakpo on the bench again.
We’ve been to Brighton and Southampton, Tottenham and Wembley’
Liverpool’s route to the final started at Anfield at the end of September when they beat West Ham United 5-1.
Since then, the Red have defeated Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Tottenham over two legs.
Cody Gakpo is the Reds’ top scorer in the competition.
Up for the cup
Here’s what the two sides are playing for this afternoon: the Carabao Cup.
Should Liverpool beat the Magpies this afternoon, they will lift the Carabao Cup for a record-extending 11th time.
All over at the Emirates
Arsenal have beaten Chelsea 1-0.
That means the Gunners have closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to 12 points.
Both teams have now played 29 games.
