Carabao Cup final, Liverpool analysis: Team news and predicted line-up

Liverpool will be aiming to secure the first piece of silverware this season as they take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, March 16.

With key players missing and fatigue potentially playing a role after a grueling midweek clash, the Reds will have to dig deep to overcome a Newcastle side desperate to end their long trophy drought.

Sports News Blitz writer Jack Burgess takes a closer look at Liverpool’s chances.

Injury concerns and key battles

The first silverware of the season is on the line as Liverpool take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley this weekend.

This is the first time the teams will meet at Wembley since the 1974 FA Cup final which saw Liverpool win 3-0 in what turned out to be Bill Shankly’s last game in charge.

It should be much tougher for the Reds this time around.

The presence of Alexander Isak will leave Arne Slot sweating over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate, whilst Trent Alexander Arnold will be a big miss for Liverpool…

Late injury scares for Liverpool

Liverpool’s preparation for Sunday’s cup final showdown with Newcastle could hardly have gone much worse.

Not only were they eliminated from the Champions League, but they played 120 minutes and penalties against PSG in midweek, leaving the muscles tired heading into Wembley.

To make matters worse, they also lost Trent Alexander Arnold and Ibrahima Konate to injury.

Whilst Slot revealed that Konate was likely just fatigued in extra-time, the same cannot be said for his scouse counterpart.

Trent collided with the advertising hoardings in the aftermath of a challenge with PSG’s Vitinha at Anfield, leaving him with a twisted ankle.

The 26-year-old will be sorely missed on Sunday, and his absence is especially cruel considering this may be the right-back’s last Wembley appearance for his boyhood club.

With fellow defenders Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez ruled out, Jarell Quansah is likely to pick up where he left off against PSG in Trent’s place.

Though defensively sound, Liverpool’s right-hand threat will be significantly blunted.

Isak crucial to Newcastle’s chances

Liverpool’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle back in February could look like a red herring come Sunday evening.

The Toon Army were without Isak for the game at Anfield and it showed as Callum Wilson squandered early chances which could have tilted the match in Newcastle’s favour.

The talismanic Swede has 22 goals in 31 games for Newcastle this season, and the team are a completely different proposition when he is leading the line.

Just ask the Liverpool defence.

Isak famously silenced the Kop on his Anfield debut before succumbing to a late 2-1 defeat back in 2022 and scored an absolute thunderbolt to open the scoring in the 3-3 draw at St James’ Park last December.

Liverpool’s defence will be in for a test more reminiscent of their first meeting this season and will be sweating more over the fitness of Konate, who will be needed to cope with the Newcastle star.

READ MORE: Carabao Cup news: Liverpool vs Newcastle Utd – Five key battles and score prediction

Joelinton key to midfield battle

The absence of Joelinton was another key factor in Liverpool’s relaxed victory over Newcastle a few weeks ago.

The most un-Brazilian Brazilian was famously converted from a forward into a central midfielder shortly after Eddie Howe's arrival in 2021 and the Toon Army have been reaping the rewards since.

His energy is infectious, whilst his tenacious tackling, successful or not, is a key part of Newcastle’s success.

An intimidating figure in the middle of the park, the 28-year-old’s absence was notable as Liverpool’s midfielders dominated the centre of the park at Anfield, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szobozslai both finding the scoresheet.

Despite a suspension scare, Joelinton successfully walked the tightrope against West Ham on Monday, and Newcastle fans will be delighted that he avoided a fatal yellow card.

Liverpool’s midfield have been on top form lately and will fancy themselves to produce a similarly-classy display despite the Brazilian's return to this fixture.

It remains to be seen who will win this particular battle at Wembley, but if nothing else, to paraphrase Roy Keane, expect the bulldozing-Brazilian to bump into people, just to make him feel better.

Luis Diaz redemption?

Luis Diaz has cut a frustrating figure on Merseyside lately.

It was his dazzling tricks in the 2022 League Cup win against Chelsea that originally helped the Columbian endear himself to the Anfield faithful during his outstanding - but goalless - display.

But there is a sense lately that scintillating dribbling is all the 28-year-old offers Liverpool’s forward line.

After starting like a house on fire this season, with five goals in his first five league games, Diaz has fallen short of those standards, reverting slowly into a show pony with little end product.

The Columbian has scored only once since the start of 2025, and was particularly frustrating in Liverpool’s defeat to PSG in midweek, slowing things down and choosing to take more players on despite having better options in front of him.

But the entertaining winger may fancy his chances against an ageing Kieran Trippier, who is known more for his attacking pursuits than his defensive acumen.

Question marks remain over Diaz’s clinical edge, but a goal on Sunday and all will be forgiven.

Cody Gakpo can be the difference

Whilst all eyes have rightly been on Mo Salah this season, there has been slight concern around Liverpool’s reliance on the Egyptian King.

Despite a couple of penalties in recent weeks, Salah has slightly underperformed since his magical display against Newcastle last month.

This has left the Reds needing other forwards to step up.

Though Nunez has to a certain extent, he is unreliable, whilst the goals have been drying up for the injury-prone Diogo Jota and Diaz too.

Moreover, with our midfield scorers at Anfield likely to find it harder against Joelinton, the return of Cody Gakpo will do Liverpool’s potency in front of goal the world of good.

The Dutchman is the Reds’ second top scorer this season with 16 goals, and returned from an ankle injury as a substitute against PSG.

Should Salah be unable to find the net from open play again, Gakpo looks most likely to step up for the Reds, even if he isn’t fully sharp.

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Final thoughts

I expect another really tough game for the Reds.

Newcastle’s recent experience at the League Cup final in 2023 means they should be better equipped for the task of ending a 70-year trophy drought on Tyneside.

Liverpool could be sluggish in periods after dragging PSG to penalties in midweek, but the motivation of earning Slot’s first trophy should hopefully get them over the line.

I expect it to be very tense, and can see another penalty shootout.

Score prediction: Liverpool to win on penalties

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