Newcastle United will take on Liverpool on March 16 at Wembley in the EFL Cup final. The Magpies, who have not won a major trophy in over 50 years, are desperate to break their barren run. However, as the days pass, their task is becoming increasingly difficult.
After their loss to Brentford in the Premier League on December 7, Newcastle enjoyed an impressive run until mid-February. During that stretch of 14 games, they won 12 and lost only two. That run included back-to-back 2-0 victories over Arsenal in both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final.
However, in their next four matches, they suffered three defeats while winning just once. One of those losses came against their EFL Cup final opponents, Liverpool. In a game where their star striker Alexander Isak was sidelined due to a groin injury, Eddie Howe’s team struggled to make an impact, failing to register a single shot on target.
Nevertheless, Newcastle United are still only three points behind the last Champions League positions in the table. But the problem is that there are just six points separating third-placed Nottingham Forest and 10th-placed Aston Villa, meaning at least eight teams are in contention. As a result, any of those teams could finish in a European competition spot or miss out on continental action entirely. This makes the EFL Cup a valuable opportunity for Newcastle to secure European football next season.
Even though Isak returned for the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Brighton and managed to get on the scoresheet, Newcastle were knocked out by a late Danny Welbeck goal. With many top teams already eliminated, the Magpies had a real opportunity to go all the way in the competition.
Adding to Eddie Howe’s concerns, one of their most important players alongside Isak, Anthony Gordon, was sent off. He received a straight red card for pushing Jan Paul van Hecke’s head in the closing minutes of normal time while the match was still in the balance. Just minutes later, Isak was substituted and seen heading down the tunnel, raising concerns that he might have been struggling with some discomfort or an injury.
With a crucial final just two weeks away, these were the last setbacks Howe and Newcastle would have wanted. A straight red card for violent conduct means Gordon is set to serve a three-match suspension, ruling him out of the showpiece event at Wembley. However, reports suggest Newcastle are considering an appeal against the decision.
Although Isak walked toward the tunnel, manager Eddie Howe later clarified that it was due to general tightness rather than an injury concern. Still, Gordon’s suspension and Newcastle’s recent dip in form make their quest for silverware in the EFL Cup final even tougher against runaway Premier League leaders and arguably the most in-form side in Europe this season.