Liverpool's Defeat to Newcastle Showcases Tactical Blunders and Statistical Failures
Newcastle United celebrated their first domestic trophy win in 70 years following their 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium during the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The triumph was marked by jubilation among the Magpies' fans, yet it also drew concern from some quarters about the club's ownership.
From the whistle, Liverpool's performance left much to be desired with just one shot registered during the first half, compared to Newcastle's nine attempts. Although the Reds boasted 64% possession, their control was termed hollow. Dr. Barts summarized the sentiment: "They had 26 penalty box touches to our 17," painting the picture of Liverpool's struggle to penetrate Newcastle's defense.
Statistically, Liverpool's first-half Expected Goals (xG) was shockingly low at 0.26, the worst of the season, as Newcastle posted 0.7. The sluggish start foreshadowed the tactical missteps evident throughout the match.
Post-break, changes were anticipated, but few improvements unfolded. Liverpool attempted to increase their penalty box presence, jumping from two touches to 15, yet Newcastle maintained their edge, outshooting Liverpool 8 to 6 and crafting more significant chances (2 to 1). Liverpool's final xG was 0.89, palpably below their standard with Newcastle dominating at 1.8.
Midfield issues were palpable, demonstrated by Liverpool's 79% passing success rate against their typical of 85%. Curtis Jones, who achieved a phenomenal 94% pass completion rate with 13 final third passes during just 35 minutes of play, stood out positively amid the overall underwhelming performance. Harvey Elliott too shone with two key passes and 93% accuracy.
Despite these individual bright spots, the team faced broader tactical issues. Manager Arne Slot's side failed to connect as expected, particularly on the right flank, leading to out-of-form Mohamed Salah being isolated and ineffective. This was noted by Dr. Barts, who explained, "If you can’t do [that], we cannot operate."
Meanwhile, Newcastle's tactical approach, which involved defending deep and making quick counter-attacks, effectively stifled Liverpool's attempts. "They weren’t phenomenal," Dr. Barts admitted, but they executed their game plan well.
Newcastle's history-making victory came with its own set of criticisms, particularly from the Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS). They expressed disappointment about the club's ownership by the Saudi Arabian regime, citing long-standing human rights violations and calling the triumph tainted by its controversial roots. "Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which owns our club. This is what sportswashing is all about," the group remarked following the cup win.
Despite these elements, celebrations erupted across the streets of Newcastle as fans reveled, some reflecting on the wait for such glory. “We knew what was at stake for all our fans. We wanted to do them, and the club proud and win the trophy,” manager Eddie Howe expressed, acknowledging the pride of ending the long domestic drought.
Dan Burn, celebrating his first call-up for England just days after the victory, reflected on the whirlwind of emotions. Having scored the opening goal for Newcastle, he stated, "I had my family here... There will be time to celebrate. I know the club’s put stuff out about there being a parade on Saturday, so I think I’ll celebrate then." With such moments on the pitch and upcoming, Burn feels rejuvenated about his career and aspirations.
Among the post-match reflections, Virgil van Dijk voiced his fears for Liverpool after enduring two losses to PSG and Newcastle within five days. "If you lose twice... it feels like the world is sinking," he warned teammates, noting the need for focused effort as they battle through remaining league matches. Even with the Premier League title still within reach (Liverpool is 12 points clear of Arsenal), uncertainties loom over the futures of key players like Salah and Van Dijk, with contract situations adding to the tension.
The loss at Wembley revealed numerous areas for Liverpool to rectify. With upcoming fixtures looming, including their next match against Everton, the Reds must regroup, recalibrate, and learn from the glaring errors demonstrated during the final. The team aims to shift momentum and avoid repeating mistakes as they navigate the remaining challenges of the title run-in.
