Liverpool and Newcastle Clash for England’s First Trophy of the Season

After their Champions League disappointment, Liverpool has a quick chance to bounce back as they take on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on Sunday at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.

Both history and recent form favor the Reds, as Newcastle has failed to defeat them in their last 17 encounters across all competitions. The Magpies’ last major trophy dates back to 1955 when they lifted the FA Cup.

While Newcastle boasts manager Eddie Howe, who has won 75% of his League Cup matches, Liverpool possesses lethal weapons in this competition. Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has scored nine goals in 11 games, while Egyptian star Mohamed Salah has contributed to four goals in his last five League Cup matches. The winner of this final will claim the first local trophy of the season in England.

One of the biggest pre-match questions revolves around the availability of Liverpool’s influential right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold suffered an injury during Liverpool’s Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain, which they lost on penalties. While the extent of his injury remains unclear, initial signs suggest it’s not as severe as initially feared.

However, the defender will miss the League Cup final but hopes to return later this season to help Liverpool in their nine remaining Premier League matches. So far, he has played 39 games across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.

Here are some key stats to help you predict the correct result and win exciting rewards with “Betway”:

• This is Newcastle’s third appearance in an EFL Cup final, having lost the previous two in 1976 (against Manchester City) and 2023 (against Manchester United).
• Liverpool is playing in their 15th EFL Cup final, five more than any other team. They have won the competition a record 10 times, two more than any other club.
• This is only the third League Cup encounter between Newcastle and Liverpool. The Magpies won 1-0 at Anfield in the fourth round of the 1995-96 season, while Liverpool triumphed 2-0 at St. James’ Park in the 1997-98 quarterfinals.
• Liverpool and Newcastle have met in a local cup final once before, with the Reds winning 3-0 in the 1974 FA Cup final.
• Newcastle has not won any of their last 17 matches against Liverpool in all competitions (5 draws, 12 losses – all in the Premier League) since a 2-0 home victory under Steve McClaren in December 2015.
• Newcastle’s last major local trophy was the 1955 FA Cup, where they defeated Manchester City 3-1 at Wembley. Since then, they have lost five local cup finals.
• Liverpool has won 18 major local cup titles (10 EFL Cups and 8 FA Cups). A victory in this final would see them equal Manchester United’s tally of 19.
• Newcastle boss Eddie Howe could become the first English manager to win a major trophy with a Premier League club since Harry Redknapp led Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008.