Liverpool and Newcastle United are set to clash at Wembley on March 16, 2025, for the Carabao Cup final, marking the first free-to-air final for over ten years. The match will kick off at 4:30 PM GMT and will be available for free on ITV1, streamed on ITVX, and broadcast on Sky Sports starting from 3 PM.
This highly anticipated match sees Liverpool, the defending champions and record holders with ten wins, striving to secure their place among the greats of the English football scene, as they aim to equal Manchester United's record of 19 domestic trophies. Under the guidance of Arne Slot, Liverpool is eager to rebound following their recent Champions League exit.
On the other side of the pitch, Newcastle United will be hoping to end their 70-year trophy drought, as their last domestic triumph was the FA Cup win against Manchester City back in 1955. This final marks Newcastle’s second League Cup final in three years; they fell short against Manchester United last year. Despite their historical struggles at Wembley, losing their last nine games there, they find renewed hope under coach Eddie Howe, who boasts impressive statistics of winning 12 out of 16 League Cup matches during his tenure.
A wave of excitement has swept through Newcastle supporters, with over 32,000 fans making their way to London, many without tickets, uniting under the hopes of witnessing their team lift the coveted trophy. The iconic Angel of the North statue was draped with the club's black and white shirt to symbolize the fans’ passion. Lorraine Harrison, a lifelong supporter, encapsulated the city's sentiment saying, "I just think, if they've got the belief they can do it, why not?"
With speculations climbing around the availability of key players, Newcastle faces setbacks with Anthony Gordon serving suspension for his recent red card, and injuries sidelining Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sven Botman, and Lewis Hall. This raises challenges for the Magpies’ lineup as they prepare against Liverpool’s formidable attack, spearheaded by the prolific Mohamed Salah, who has directly contributed to 18 goals against Newcastle.
Both teams decorated with formidable lineups promise to make this final one of the most exciting encounters seen at Wembley. Newcastle's hopes lie with stars like Alexander Isak, who has shown remarkable form, scoring three goals and providing one assist against Liverpool. The Magpies’ chance of lifting the trophy shines through Isak’s performances, alongside Burn and Livramento’s defensive strategies to combat Salah and Cody Gakpo, who has netted nine goals since his Carabao Cup debut. The tactical battle between midfielders Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool and Sandro Tonali for Newcastle will be pivotal, as these two players find themselves year-on-year improving, exerting control over key areas on the field.
The excitement surrounding the Carabao Cup final stems not only from the reputations of the two clubs and their current forms but also from the significant cultural relevance it holds for both sets of fans. Matty Nicholls, who sported his Greggs sausage roll shaved haircut captured the humor and spirit of the Geordie culture. He humorously noted, "You talk to people about Newcastle; it's two things mainly - Newcastle United and Greggs."
Newcastle's illustrious history at Wembley, where they once won every final they reached between 1924 and 1955, now stands supplemented with bleaker statistics of lost finals, including the last few at the venue. Newcastle lost the 2023 final to Manchester United, adding to their long-standing trophied aspirations. Bobby Moncur, the last captain to lift silverware for the club, hopes his team can achieve their long-awaited victory; "Win a cup before I kick the bucket," he expressed poignantly.
Providing stark contrasts, Liverpool, with their mass of trophies, are facing another chance to etch their name even higher on the list of footballing legends. Eddie Howe knows history lies against his men as they are winless against Liverpool across their last 17 matches. Despite this, the Magpies entries stampede from loyal supporters heading down to London—the cheerful fans are determined to witness what they all dream of: lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Given recent expressions from key players on both sides, there stands optimism, longing, and pride intertwining among the two clubs and their respective fans. The stakes could hardly be higher. Soccer fans worldwide will be glued to their screens as history is set to be written this Sunday.