The first large domestic trophy of the 2024-25 season is on Sunday for the taking as Liverpool and Newcastle Clash in the Carabao Cup final.
Defending champion Liverpool search for their 11th League Cup title and a first trophy for manager Arne Slot in his debut season in Anfield.
For Newcastle they want a termination of a domestic trophy -dried that has passed for 70 years since their FA Cup victory from 1955. The magpies came close in 2023 and lost in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.
Eddie Howe is ready to be without important players for Sunday's game, including the injured Sven Botman and Lewis Hall. Anthony Gordon is also absent after the red card he picked up in their FA Cup loss against Brighton.
Slot will be Alexander-Arnold without Trent and is also worried about Ibrahima Konate after both during the exit of Liverpool Champions League were taken in the hands of PSG on Tuesday evening. Liverpool could force Liverpool in a recovering, with Jarell Quansah or Wataru Endo – or both – to be filled in at the back.
Read for Mail Sport's combined Liverpool and Newcastle XI.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
The Brazilian No. 1 easily claims the starting point in the goal. He is currently just one of the best keepers on the planet.
Alisson's so far claimed eight Premier League -Schone sheets in the competition as part of a Liverpool -rearguard who has only admitted 27 goals. Only Arsenal has let this term fewer goals in the top flight.
The uncertainty of Newcastle about who will start between the sticks also affects fans. Martin Dubravka has performed exceptionally in the absence of Nick Pope, but the Englishman has been sloppy since his return – which suggests that the Slovak could win back his place for the final.
Directly back: Kieran Trippier
Trippier has difficulty having football in the first team after he was expressed by the better performance of Tino Livramento.
But with Livramento, which covers the wounded hall on the left, Trippier will continue on his preferred side.
Liverpool's injury crisis in the right side is likely to encourage Quansah to deposit in the absence of Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, a potentially weak point that must be exploited by Newcastle.
Center Back: Virgil van Dijk
From the best defenders in the world, Van Dijk is an essential piece on the side of Slot's Liverpool. His leadership, strength and reading of the game makes him almost unbeatable.
From 12 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, Van Dijk will be looking for his third EFL Cup trophy on Sunday.
Center Back: Fabian Schar
It is a tough choice between Dan Burn and Schar, but the Swiss have been more consistent for the Magpies.
In his seventh season for the club, Schar's merger of defensive firmness in combination with a appetite for long -distance scorchers emphasizes his ability to contribute to Newcastle throughout the field.
Brand is often caught by fast, technically astute players with a low center of gravity, which can be difficult for the Englishman against the attacking power of Liverpool on Sunday.
Left Back: Andy Robertson
The Scotsman is in his seventh season with the Reds and remains great shifts in the defense.
Robertson is known for his suspension along the left and played a more conservative role this season, so that the backlines penetrate less preferably for control.
While he is starting to leave his first years, Robertson will gladly add a new trophy to his collection before he may be replaced in the summer transfer window.
Central midfielder: Sandro Tonali
The most difficult part of choosing this combined XI is certainly the midfield three, with both parties with trios of world class.
Once called the next Pirlo of Italy, Tonali has changed his playing style as he works in Newcastle, as the anchor between Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes-in place as a box-to-box midfielder.
The fame of the Italian after his return from a gambling ban has enabled Howe to find a balanced midfield three that is unbeatable for energy and intensity in time.
Tonali has played a major role since December in the Newcastle revival in shape. With former Eksters defender Ryan Taylor claimed: “He could run the game at Wembley.”
Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister
Mac Allister is always present in the midfield of Liverpool and is this campaign for Slot's side.
Macallister's tenacity and creativity swallows an excellent relationship with the revitalized Ryan Gravenberch and radiates quality for the all -round game of Liverpool.
In the Premier League, the Argentinian fourth for tackles is won and fifth for blocks between all players, which emphasizes his skill in defense and attack.
Central midfielder: Bruno Guimaraes
Completing midfield is Newcastle's Talisman Guimaraes, despite severe competition from Gravenberch and Joelinton.
The remarkable consistency and passion of guimaraes for Newcastle is unparalleled.
His characteristic tenacity and Stamina Drive Newcastle Vooruit, regardless of the minute of the game, which is required on Sunday against a heavy Liverpool outfit.
Right: Mohamed Salah
No debate here. Salah is currently at a different level and places songs that the Premier League has never seen before.
After playing 29 games, the Egyptian has 27 goals and 17 assists to his name this competition campaign in the midst of contract negotiations.
Salah will be hungry to correct his rare Under-PAR performance in the Champions League by securing Liverpool's first trophy.
Livramento will cover the injured hall on the left … Good luck taking the leading Ballon d'Ordedinger.
Left Wing: Luis Diaz
His target involvement should undoubtedly be higher, but the Colombian still enjoys a fruitful campaign for Liverpool.
His speed, first touch and directness will cause chaos for Trippier immediately in the final.
Trippier will probably rely on the support of Jacob Murphy to prevent them from being completely exposed.
Striker: Alexander Isak
On the right track to surpass his best goal (21) in the Premier League, Isak will be the vital center in the Newcastle attack.
Although Isak is bed all season, he expects he is fit and shoots for the final.
Konate's potential absence could see that Isak is focusing on the non-position endo in the backline of Liverpool, which can prove to be a prosperous path for the magpies and the Swede.
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