Eddie Howe has some major decisions to make before picking his starting XI to face Liverpool at Wembley.
Eddie Howe says he always has hard decisions to make when choosing a Newcastle United starting XI, and it will be no different this afternoon when he pins his teamsheet to the wall.
There are two key decisions for the Magpies’ head coach to make ahead of today’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium: who starts in goal and who replaces the banned Anthony Gordon. United’s other big absentees, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman, have mostly been dealt with. For the majority of the season, Newcastle’s defence has been led by Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, with Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier capable of playing either full-back position.
Howe must choose between Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka in goal, with Pope starting Monday night’s 1-0 victory over West Ham. Was there any hint that Pope was the ‘league’ goalkeeper? There are suggestions that Dubravka will start today, with Pope expected to return for the Premier League finale.
Gordon’s suspension has created a significant gap on the left side of the forward line, but Howe has several options. Harvey Barnes started at West Ham and set up Bruno Guimaraes for the winning goal, but would Joe Willock offer more in the way of protection, especially when it comes to dealing with Mo Salah?
Howe could even move Alexander Isak out wide and start Callum Wilson up front, but Barnes’ performance at the London Stadium, combined with Liverpool’s likelihood of playing Jarell Quansah at right-back in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, suggests the former Leicester City player will get a chance to shine at Wembley Stadium.
This leaves the powerful midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno, and Joelinton, with Jacob Murphy on the right and Isak as the central striker. On the bench, Howe can rely on Willock, Sean Longstaff, and Will Osula to try to influence the game.
Newcastle United’s predicted XI against Liverpool: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, and Isak.
