Like Liverpool, Newcastle entered the Carabao Cup final with a broken squad. Striker Anthony Gordon is suspended after receiving a red card in the match against Brighton earlier this month, while the defensive trio Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are still sidelined due to injury.
However, it is important that star striker Alexander Isak has overcome some physical problems to get on the field in time. The Swedish striker was absent from the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.
With Gordon absent, Isak will be Newcastle's top hopeful in an explosive season. The striker is Newcastle's top scorer in the 2024-25 season, with 19 goals in the Premier League.
Isak caused a lot of problems for Liverpool's defense in the dramatic 3-3 draw between the two teams in December last year. The striker born in 1999 will be determined to prove why many of Europe's top clubs are eyeing him.
For Newcastle, defeating Liverpool to win the championship this weekend will be of great significance. This is also a way for them to convince Isak to stay at St James' Park against the solicitation of many "big guys".
Meanwhile, coach Eddie Howe believes his players have learned valuable lessons from his most recent trip to Wembley. The Magpies lost to Manchester United in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
"We have gradually gotten used to big matches. This has been an important part of Newcastle's development since I arrived here. Experience in important matches will help a lot and the club has maintained competition in big matches.
Newcastle's style of play is flexible, but also very clear in terms of approaching the game, both with and without the ball. This will be an important factor for the upcoming big match" - the English strategist said.
There is a difference in the context of Newcastle and Liverpool before the match at Wembley. The Carabao Cup final is not necessarily Liverpool's most important match of the season, but it will be of great significance to Newcastle.
A victory would immediately put Howe and his students in Newcastle's history. The "Magpies" have been in a drought for titles for the past 70 years. Meanwhile, Slot's side need to finish safely in the Premier League race to truly have a successful campaign.
"We want to end the waiting period for the title. That is not a negative thing, but on the contrary, this is an opportunity to make history. That's not easy. I want the players to be determined, play a dedicated game and truly express their identity" - Howe added.
The Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle takes place at 11:30 p.m. on March 16 (Vietnam time).
