The late winter sun broke through the clouds above Wembley as Newcastle United and Liverpool prepared to contest this year’s League Cup final. With the fixture moved to a later date than traditionally scheduled, the extended daylight bathed the famous stadium in a golden glow as both sets of supporters created a cauldron of noise.
Even with their European disappointments, the Reds were heavy favourites in the football betting odds, but the busy March football calendar would take its tole as the Magpies ended their 70-year wait for a trophy, denying Arne Slot his first piece of silverware as Liverpool manager – at least for a few weeks.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the famous stadium became a sea of black and white on one end and red on the other.
Newcastle’s journey to this moment had been a remarkable transformation under Eddie Howe – from relegation candidates in November 2021 to trophy contenders in 2025. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrived at Wembley carrying the disappointment of their Champions League exit to
Paris Saint-Germain just days earlier, but still chasing glory on multiple fronts.
The opening exchanges revealed the contrasting energies of both sides. Newcastle, buoyed by their passionate support, pressed with intensity and purpose, while Liverpool struggled to find their usual rhythm. The Magpies’ midfield duo of Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton dominated the central areas, winning crucial battles and setting the tone for what was to come.
As the first half progressed, Newcastle grew in confidence. Their breakthrough came from a familiar source in unusual territory – Dan Burn, fresh from his first England call-up, rose majestically to meet Kieran Tripper’s corner, thundering a header beyond Caoimhín Kelleher. The celebrations in the Newcastle end were frenzied, with cameras capturing Alan Shearer and Ant & Dec among those losing themselves in the moment.
Liverpool offered little in response before half-time, with their only noteworthy chance falling to Diogo Jota, who couldn’t sort his feet out quickly enough after Luis Díaz’s headed pass. The Reds looked a shadow of the team that had dominated the Premier League for much of the season, their exertions against PSG seemingly taking a heavy toll.
Newcastle doubled their advantage early in the second half. Tino Livramento delivered a precise cross, Jacob Murphy wanted it more than Andy Robertson at the back post, and when his header fell to Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker finished with the composure of a man born for the big occasion. At 2-0, Newcastle fans dared to believe that history was finally within their grasp.
Slot turned to his bench in search of inspiration, but even as Curtis Jones forced a smart save from Nick Pope, Liverpool lacked the intensity to truly threaten a comeback. The eight minutes of added time brought a glimmer of hope when Federico Chiesa pounced on a rare Bruno Guimarães error to make it 2-1, but it proved merely a consolation.
When the final whistle sounded, the Newcastle end erupted. Players fell to their knees, Howe embraced his staff, and seven decades of hurt were washed away in an outpouring of black-and-white joy. For Liverpool, the disappointment was palpable, but their focus would need to shift quickly.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will hope their Premier League victory in the coming weeks overshadows a disappointing first final for Slot. The Dutchman now faces the challenge of ensuring his squad doesn’t suffer the same late-season fatigue that denied Jürgen Klopp a final title last year. Squad management will be crucial as they look to secure the bigger prize that would render this setback a mere footnote.
For Newcastle, this triumph may represent just the beginning. The League Cup victory has secured them a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League, but Howe’s men will undoubtedly have loftier ambitions. With momentum now firmly behind them, the Magpies will target a strong finish to the Premier League campaign, hoping to sneak into the top four and secure consecutive seasons of Champions League football.
This final will be remembered not just for ending Newcastle’s trophy drought, but potentially for signalling a shift in English football’s hierarchy.
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