Newcastle got what they deserved in the League Cup Final. So did Liverpool. Those in black and white were simply better, quicker, more intense, and energised, all over the pitch. A 2-1 triumph was the very least they deserved, as they brought an end to their trophy drought after more than fifty long years.
From the opening whistle, Newcastle gave a lethargic Liverpool no time, no space and, ultimately, no chance. Suffocating Liverpool’s midfield, not allowing Mo Salah the ball with an incessant work rate that ensured they won every second ball, every fifty-fifty challenge and, frankly, Liverpool never looked likely to turn the tide. A goal by Federico Cheisa in the final minutes, ultimately providing little more than a footnote.
Liverpool fell behind just before half-time, Dan Burn, the tallest man on the pitch, somehow being marked by the smallest man on the pitch. It was no contest, Alexis Mac Allister was easily beaten to the ball from a well-worked corner. Almost unbelievably, Liverpool continued to employ the same defensive ineptitude at subsequent corners and free-kicks. How they never conceded another in exactly the same manner was more of an accident than by design. But Newcastle didn’t have to wait long to double the lead, the prolific Alexander Isak scoring from inside the penalty box as Liverpool again failed to win an aerial dual.
Two-nil down and, with thirty minutes to play, Liverpool at last decided to play football, even if it did take two rafts of substitutions before they caused Newcastle any problems. Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and Cheisa all thrown on in a desperate attempt to get back into the game. If anything though, a third for Newcastle looked more likely, as any pretence of a defensive shape from the League Cup holders were dispensed with. Yet those in red simply looked flat, and the interminable wait for VAR to declare Chiesa’s goal on-side galvanised a Newcastle side further.
Liverpool have nine games left this season. Having seen Arsenal cut their Premiership lead to 12 points after defeating Chelsea, five wins and a draw will be enough to win their 20th league title. Thankfully, some players, desperately in need of a rest might now get one, with an international break on the horizon. Let’s hope they resume what has been a stellar league campaign, refreshed and focussed on finishing the season with silverware.
