Liverpool and Newcastle will contest the Carabao Cup at Wembley this Sunday, with the Reds hot favourites to lift the trophy for the eleventh time.
Standing in their way will be a fired up Toon Army who have given them a run for their money in recent seasons.
Nearly 90,000 Kopites and Geordies will march on Wembley Way to take in all the glitz and glamour of the Cup final, which usually precedes a 90 minute chess match.
Cup finals are often short on drama when big clubs are involved, yet this season’s wild 3-3 draw at St James’ Park teases this match as one that could buck trends.
There’s no escaping the fact that the Premier League champions-in-waiting are unbeaten in 16 meetings, winning each of the last seven by an aggregate score of 16-5.
Still, as a betting man of 15+ years, I like to cling to the belief that if you back enough three-legged horses, the rest of the field will fall over eventually.
Howe’s side being the fresher of the two could play a factor as two powerful midfields set about each other, so we’re not keen to write them off.
Liverpool team news
Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton were already ruled out for the Carabao Cup final, but the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will also miss out is a major blow.
He and Ibrahima Konate were withdrawn from the penalty-shootout defeat to PSG on Wednesday, though Arne Slot has confirmed the latter was just fatigued.
That presents Jarrell Quansah with the opportunity to start alongside Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson at Wembley.
The energetic trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and the forward-thinking Dominik Szoboszlai will feature again.
There are decisions to be made in attack with Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez (who has reportedly offered himself to Barcelona – bet they say no), Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all vying for starts.
Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo should get the nod if the latter is deemed fit enough to start.
Liverpool expected line-up
Alisson – Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson – Mac Allister, Gravenberch – Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz – Gakpo
Newcastle team news
Martin Dubravka has been the keeper of choice in cup competitions so could nudge Nick Pope out of the Magpies’ goal.
Injuries to Sven Botman and Jaamal Lascelles will allow Dan Burn, who seems to be on the verge of an England call-up, and Fabian Schar to continue their partnership.
Lewis Hall’s absence was offset by moving Kieran Trippier to right-back and handing Tino Livramento the left-back berth against West Ham.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Joelinton possess the running power to match Liverpool’s, with the latter replacing the suspended Anthony Gordon out wide.
Jacob Murphy has been a consistent performer off the right with eight assists and five goals in the Premier League.
The likes of Arsenal are reportedly among the sides sniffing around 22-goal hitman Alexander Isak, who will be hoping to fire his side to a first major honour since 1969.
Newcastle expected line-up
Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Joelinton
