Alan Shearer has named Newcastle United’s starting eleven, including who should replace Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
When the Magpies face Arne Slot’s Reds at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (March 16), they will have the opportunity to end a 70-year drought for major domestic silverware.
Eddie Howe must make difficult selections about his starting lineup, including filling Gordon’s spot after he was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion in their FA Cup defeat two weeks ago. The English winger had been a prominent performer for the Tyneside club until recently, and Howe must find a way to keep his suspension from derailing their aspirations to win in London.
Hall will also miss the final due to a season-ending foot injury sustained prior to the Brighton loss, giving Howe yet another major headache. Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, believes they will be ‘big losses’ but does not specify who should replace the former Chelsea youngster and Gordon.
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope/Martin Dubravka
Shearer didn’t name which of Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka he expects to start the Carabao Cup final. Howe has kept everyone out of the loop regarding who he views as his number one, rotating between the veteran pair since Pope returned from a knee injury in February.
Pope, 32, has started his team’s previous three Premier League games, including a 2-0 loss to Sunday’s opponents, but impressed in a 1-0 win against West Ham United on Monday. However, he has not been the Magpies’ number one goalkeeper in the cup this season, as Dubravka, 36, has started four of their six games and kept two clean sheets in the semi-final triumph against Arsenal.
Howe says it will be a ‘difficult call’ to decide who starts in goal against Liverpool. He does not appear to be giving anything away before of the trip to Wembley, which may unnerve Slot and his attackers, who are already reeling from their UEFA Champions League exit.
Defenders:
Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Tivo Livramento.
Shearer’s tips Howe should play Kieran Trippier in his usual right-back position and Tivo Livramento as left-back, as he did in the West Ham triumph. The former Chelsea full-back has shown great adaptability since arriving at St James’ Park, and his quickness and intensity will most certainly be favored when dealing with Mohamed Salah.
“With Livramento’s pace, I believe he’ll put him in at left back. He’ll need to play well against Mo Salah, won’t he?”
There was no indication on who the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer anticipates at centre-back, although Sven Botman will be out due to a knee injury. This indicates that Howe will rely on Fabian Schar and Dan Burn in defence, and the duo must play at their best against the top-flight’s most threatening attack.
Midfield
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton
Shearer selected a midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton, who have been excellent for most of the season. The trio played together in an enthralling 3-3 draw against Liverpool in December, with Guimaraes opening up the Reds’ defence with a ball forward to Alexander Isak.
However, the Magpies’ midfield has not always been a cohesive unit, as evidenced by a 4-0 loss to Manchester City in February. The final might be won or lost in midfield, as Howe will be hoping his trio can defeat Slot’s probable three of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch.
Attack
Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, and Harvey Barnes
Harvey Barnes is Shearer’s response to Gordon’s predicament, and the English attacker began in their victory over West Ham. The former Leicester City winger plays in a similar way to the suspended Gordon, with a direct approach, quickness, and the rare lethal finish. He sometimes go AWOL during games, which is a concern, although Gary Lineker describes him as ‘a solid replacement’.
There’s no argument about Alexander Isak starting because the Swede has been outstanding this season, scoring 22 goals in 32 appearances across tournaments. He tormented Arsenal in the semi-finals and will welcome the opportunity to face Liverpool, against whom he has three goals in five appearances.
Jacob Murphy was chosen on the right, and his hard work and offensive danger are often overlooked among Howe’s great players. He has a goal and an assist in three Carabao Cup games this season and could be one to keep an eye on against expected starter Andy Robertson.
