Liverpool were unable to retain their Carabao Cup title on Sunday afternoon when they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle. Arne Slot’s side were second-best in all departments, lacking the threat and energy that has made them so lethal in the Premier League.
The Magpies to took the lead on the stroke of half time when the towering Dan Burn rose above Alexis Mac Allister to power a great header beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to send the travelling Toon Army into a frenzy. Alexander Isak then doubled his side’s lead in the 53rd minute when sweeping a fine strike into the far corner after Jacob Murphy’s nod down at the back post.
Federico Chiesa then came off of the bench to half the deficit in the 94th minute when tucking a neat strike under Nick Pope, but Liverpool failed to find an equaliser in the final few minutes.
Here, Express Sport takes you through how each Liverpool star performed at Wembley Stadium…
Liverpool player ratings vs Newcastle (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher: 6
Made an excellent save to deny Isak a second after an hour to keep his side in the game. Had no chance with either goal.
Jarrell Quansah: 6
A fair showing from the makeshift right-back, though his cautious approach going forward often left Mohamed Salah isolated. Appeared far more comfortable when moved back into centre-back.
Ibrahima Konate: 6 (Jones, 57)
Steady display from the France international. Was surprisingly substituted early on when Slot kickstarted his series of major changes.
Virgil van Dijk: 6
Should have been far tighter to Isak for Newcastle’s second. Made several key headers and interceptions otherwise.
Andy Robertson: 5
Easily outjumped by Murphy at the back post for Newcastle’s second in what has proved to be a big issue this season. Made a few good blocks but simply isn’t the force of old at either end of the pitch.
Ryan Gravenberch: 5 (Chiesa, 73)
Playing 120 minutes against PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night certainly left its mark on the Dutchman. The 22-year-old found himself chasing shadows in midfield and was reluctant to drive forward after winning back possession.
Alexis Mac Allister: 5 (Gakpo, 67)
The Argentine struggled to deal with the pace, power and energy of Newcastle’s midfield trio. Was fortunate not to be booked for a handful of late challenges and was bizarrely given the task of marking Burn in the first-half, and his side paid the price.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 5
Ineffective in midfield, with Newcastle minimising his threat very well. Never looked like unpicking the Magpies’ backline and became erratic late on, making clumsy challenges to slow the game down and cost his side momentum.
Mohamed Salah: 5
Marked out of the game by the exceptional Tino Livramento and struggled to deal with the Newcastle fullback defensively. When his side needed him most, the Egyptian was nowhere to be found. An uncharacteristically quiet showing from the winger.
Luis Diaz: 6 (Elliott, 73)
His pace and energy caused Trippier plenty of problems in the first half but his impact quickly fizzled out.
Diogo Jota: 5 (Nunez, 57)
Poor performance by the Portuguese striker. Made very little impact on the clash, failing to link up play when dropping deep and his runs in behind lacked any sort of conviction.
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Curtis Jones: 6
Added impetus in midfield at both ends of the pitch. Forced a great save from Nick Pope shortly after coming on and may have played his way into the starting XI after the international break.
Darwin Nunez: 6
Gave Liverpool a focal point, though the overhaul of attacking players thrown on left him without any true role.
Cody Gakpo: 6
Played in a variety of positions after coming on, though proved most effective on the left when reaching the by-line on a few occasions.
Federico Chiesa: 7
A rare appearance for the Italian, with Slot throwing the kitchen sink at Newcastle late on. The forward took his goal well when managing to race in behind, and he may have staked his case for more minutes going forward.
Harvey Elliott: 6
Tried to link up play centrally after coming on, delivered a handful of crosses which were easily cleared by the rock-solid Newcastle backline. Sliced through the Magpies’ backline to set up Chiesa’s goal with a great pass.