EFL Cup: Newcastle go South in Search of Destiny

Liverpool vs Newcastle United

The first silverware of the English league season is up for grabs this Sunday when Liverpool and Newcastle United face off in the EFL Cup 2025 final.

Arne Slot’s Reds have been the news makers this season with their electrifying pace at the summit of the Premier League, and topping the new 36 team Champions League table. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are ticking along in the league, currently sixth, level on points with Manchester City and a single point behind fourth placed Chelsea. The Magpies are in the thick of the race for a Champions League place but, on Sunday, they have a chance to become history makers at Wembley.

The last time Newcastle United won a major trophy was way back in 1955, an FA Cup win over Manchester City, though they came close again in 2023 when they reached the Carabao Cup final, only to be beaten 2-0 by Manchester United. That was a rare opportunity for the Geordies to taste glory but, ever since the takeover of the club by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund in 2021, the Newcastle fans have been dreaming of silverware.

Howe’s team will start as underdogs. The latest EFL Cup 2025 betting odds, here at SBOTOP, make the Reds 1.32 to win the trophy with the Magpies at 3.08; but Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League this week, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, and that was clearly a draining experience, while Newcastle have enjoyed a week to prepare after they beat West Ham United on Monday.         

 

Talking Points

The pressure is on Liverpool

It seems a strange thing to say but this Carabao Cup final could be Liverpool’s best chance of a major celebration with their fans this season. The Reds crashed out of the FA Cup in a 1-0 defeat to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle, and after being the best team at the league stage they are out of the Champions League. Yes. Slot’s team are 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League; but in a procession there is a good chance the Reds will win the league on an away fixture with a smaller number of fans to celebrate with the players. A rooftop tour of the city is fine; but nothing can beat a crowd erupting at a packed stadium… and that awaits the winner on Sunday.

A potential quadruple disappeared in Plymouth and the treble was snatched away by PSG; after such an impressive six months Liverpool fans really want more than one trophy this term.   

So can they do it?

The Mo Salah factor says they can. With 27 goals and 17 assists from 29 games the Egyptian is as good as ever, still one of the very best in the business and, with world class stars such as Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson and Alexis MacAllister in the line-up; this is a team with star quality.

But the pressure is on.     

 

Gordon out for Newcastle

The big Carabao Cup 2025 news sweeping through Tyneside last week was Newcastle’s decision not to appeal the red card given to left winger Anthony Gordon towards the end of the Magpies’ FA Cup exit to Brighton and Hove Albion. The former Everton man saw red for a push on the head of Jan Paul van Hecke and, while it wasn’t a dangerous move, there was enough intent in Gordon’s actions for the club to accept the punishment. And that means the winger will miss out on the Carabao Cup final and he’ll join another left sided player, Lewis Hall, on the sidelines, as the fullback has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign as he awaits surgery on a foot injury.          

Even without the left flank first choices the Magpies’ trip to East London to take on West Ham United turned out to be a good day at the office as attacking midfielder Harvey Barnes made the assist for Bruno Guimaraes to score the winner, and Barnes is a real threat on the left wing when he’s in full flight. Meanwhile Tino Livramento put in a good shift at wingback and he could also be in line for a start on Sunday. And let’s not forget this is a team dripping with talent, from England keeper Nick Pope at the back through to the prolific Alexander Isak up front; and with the influential Guimaraes and the classy Sandro Tonali in midfield this is a team ready to pick up some silverware.

But that is easier said than done!     

 

History

Liverpool have had 37 wins against Newcastle, 13 draws and the Magpies have won 11 of these meetings in all competitions since 1993.  

The two teams drew 3-3 at St James’ Park this season, and then Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and MacAllister.

The most famous encounter, over the past 50 years or so, was in the 1974 FA Cup final which Liverpool won 3-0. Future Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan scored a brace and he almost led the Geordies to Premier League glory 22 years later, holding a 12 point lead at the top of the table only to be caught by Manchester United.    

In terms of recent form Liverpool have had four wins, one draw and one loss from the last six while Newcastle have three wins and three losses.

 

Betting Tip

Liverpool are at 1.66 to win the game in 90 minutes, with Newcastle at 4.19 and the draw is at 3.58. The Reds really need a win, while the Magpies can make history and, with such a huge incentive for both clubs, I can see tension and drama, but maybe not a goal fest.   

   

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