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.
Half-time ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher 6
Claimed a few crosses during a somewhat quiet first half and distribution reasonable, but no chance with opener.
Jarell Quansah 6
One heavy touch that almost let in Isak aside, stuck to his task up against Barnes and one decent foray forward.
Ibrahima Konate 6
Mixed bag with some necessary clearances allied to cheaply gifting Newcastle the ball out from the back.
Virgil van Dijk 8
Dominated Isak before break, particularly in the air, and defended on front foot relentlessly.
Andy Robertson 6
Two good blocks to deny Isak and Trippier and at least attempted to inject some energy into Liverpool’s play.
Ryan Gravenberch 5
Another worrying below-par first half in which he seemed jaded both in mind and body.
Alexis Mac Allister 5
At least tried to get Liverpool going with his passing but too easily knocked off ball on occasion and shouldn’t really be marking Burn at corners.
Mohamed Salah 5
Rarely involved with Liverpool’s attacks mainly coming down the left, and unable to do much with possession.
Dominik Szoboszlai 5
Showed intent in the opening minutes but then disappeared almost completely first half.
Luis Diaz 5
More promise than end product up first half and found it difficult to get beyond Trippier, but worked hard.
Diogo Jota 5
Not much decent service before break and left to fend for himself among the big Newcastle centre-backs.
