Newcastle United has finally ended its long wait for silverware, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to clinch the Carabao Cup, marking the club's first major trophy victory since 1955. The match unfolded on Sunday, March 16, 2025, and saw the Magpies claim victory against the Premier League giants, delivering jubilant celebrations for their passionate fanbase.
Goals from defender Dan Burn and striker Alexander Isak set the tone for Newcastle’s outstanding performance, integrating perfectly with their resolute defense to stifle Liverpool’s attack. Burn was pivotal, scoring the opening goal with a near-post header from 15 yards out, just as the first half drew to a close. Liverpool, who had hoped to add another trophy to their collection, found themselves on the back foot as they struggled to maintain possession against Newcastle's enhanced midfield presence.
With Liverpool coming off their recent exit from the Champions League, their confidence appeared shaken, and Paul Scholes voiced his concern about midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s performance during the final. “You have to be a little bit disappointed with the way Liverpool played, especially in the midfield area. I just think Newcastle overpowered them,” Scholes remarked on The Overlap. Statistically, Mac Allister earned the second-worst performance score of his season at 6.4/10 and won only 2 of his 6 ground duels, losing possession 10 times, which sharply contrasted with his fellow midfielders.
Newcastle’s performance was lauded not only for the goals scored but also for their defensive tenacity, exemplified by the work of Joelinton, who received praise from Premier League legend Alan Shearer. Shearer highlighted Joelinton’s extensive contribution on the pitch, stating, “Beast of a performance. He is horrible to play against, isn’t he? You can only understand how important he was for Newcastle’s midfield control,” underscoring the pressure he applied to Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch throughout the match.
Although Liverpool pulled one back through Federico Chiesa's late goal during injury time, their response came too late, as they could not change the course of the match. Following their unlikely defeat, Liverpool's situation has pivoted dangerously; having been previously knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth, the Reds now concentrate solely on the Premier League, where they hold a substantial lead of 12 points on the table.
Gary Lineker, reflecting on the match, expressed his excitement, saying, “I celebrated Newcastle's goal like it was our team... no disrespect to Liverpool,” capturing the sentiment of many neutrals who were rooting for Newcastle's historic victory.
The defeat also highlights the demands of the season on key players like Mac Allister, who has logged significant minutes and may be feeling fatigued from the heavy schedule. Liverpool's supportive tactics aimed at maintaining the balance of Strong organizations across the pitch fell short against the formidable Magpies, whose blend of youth and experience shone brightly.
It was not merely the goalscorers—Burn and Isak—who played leading roles but the entire squad's synchronization on the field led to their long-awaited triumph. The victory marks the end of Newcastle's 70-year trophy drought and the beginning of new aspirations. With Newcastle also pushing for Champions League qualification, this could set the stage for one of the best seasons the club has seen. “They deserve every platform for the success they’ve achieved,” noted Shearer, emphasizing the ability of this current squad to build upon their historic win.
With the Premier League title race still very much alive and nine matches remaining to play, Liverpool must refocus their strategy as they navigate the pathway to reclaim honor from their domestic rivals. This Carabao Cup final has presented two contrasting trajectories—the past struggles of Newcastle turned to triumph and the setbacks faced by Liverpool, which may shape their impending endeavors for the season.
This victory fuels the fire for Newcastle as they look to capitalize on the momentum gained from their cup win, and for Liverpool, it serves as both a wake-up call and reminder of the fierce competition within England’s top football leagues. The stage is set for both clubs as they gear up for the remainder of this challenging season.
