Why Newcastle beat Liverpool: Player ratings from the Carabao Cup final

‎Newcastle United finally lifted a major trophy after a 70-year wait, triumphing 2-1 over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak were enough to secure the victory, witnessed by more than 32,000 jubilant Geordie supporters who had traveled to the iconic stadium.

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Newcastle end 70-year trophy drought with Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool.

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‎Eddie Howe's side dominated the match from start to finish, proving themselves the superior team and deserving winners of a historic victory. The Magpies' first major silverware in seven decades was celebrated as a monumental achievement for the club and its loyal fanbase.

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‎The match could have taken a different turn when Liverpool appealed for a penalty in the first half. The Reds' claims for handball against Kieran Trippier were ignored by both the referee and VAR, a decision that later seemed significant as Newcastle went on to secure the win.

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‎In the 45th minute of the first half, Newcastle took the lead. A well-placed corner from Trippier found Burn, the tallest outfield player on the pitch, unmarked at the back post. Burn's header beat Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, giving Newcastle the lead.

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‎Liverpool nearly responded just before the break. Luis Diaz rose to head Mohamed Salah’s cross back to Diogo Jota, who fired wide in a rare missed opportunity for the Reds.

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‎After the break, Newcastle thought they had doubled their lead when Isak capitalized on a Kelleher spill, only to be ruled offside. However, moments later, the Magpies did extend their advantage. Tino Livramento delivered a cross to the far post, where Jacob Murphy won the header and Isak was quick to pounce, slotting the ball into the net.

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‎Liverpool created a few more chances, and goalkeeper Nick Pope was called into action when Curtis Jones fired at goal. Pope made a key save to keep the Magpies’ lead intact. Isak also had a chance to score again, but Kelleher produced a fine save.

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‎In the dying moments of added time, Liverpool thought they had scored when Federico Chiesa netted, only to be flagged offside. A VAR review overturned the decision, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Newcastle from clinging to the victory.

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‎Newcastle's tactical prowess was evident throughout the game. Eddie Howe, who took over as manager in 2021, proved his critics wrong by leading the club to its first major title in over half a century. This victory marked a major achievement in Howe’s career, making him the first English manager to win a major domestic trophy since Harry Redknapp in 2008.

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‎Player Ratings

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‎Goalkeeper & Defense

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‎Nick Pope (6/10): Largely a spectator until the later stages, Pope made a key save to deny Jones and demonstrated his class when called upon.

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‎Kieran Trippier (7/10): Trippier provided a crucial assist for Burn's goal and maintained a solid defensive performance, despite Liverpool's handball claims.

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‎Fabian Schar (6/10): Schar's attempts to break Liverpool’s defense with long balls often fell short but his defensive partnership with Burn was crucial.

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‎Dan Burn (9/10): Burn scored the opening goal, marking a historic moment for Newcastle. His leadership in defense was key to securing the win.

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‎Tino Livramento (8/10): Livramento kept Salah quiet and was involved in the buildup to Isak's goal, contributing both defensively and offensively.

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‎Midfield

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‎Bruno Guimaraes (8/10): A commanding performance from the captain, Guimaraes dominated the midfield and exemplified his leadership.

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‎Sandro Tonali (7/10): Tonali was solid on and off the ball, showing resilience after a challenging season and providing vital support in the middle.

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‎Joelinton (8/10): Joelinton's tireless work ethic in the midfield was appreciated by the Newcastle supporters, and he played a pivotal role without resorting to fouls.

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‎Attack

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‎Jacob Murphy (7/10): Murphy’s relentless running and work ethic were vital, playing a crucial part in Isak’s goal and maintaining pressure on Liverpool’s defense.

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‎Alexander Isak (8/10): Isak was a constant threat, scoring the second goal and providing energy in the second half after a challenging first.

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‎Harvey Barnes (6/10): Barnes had a quiet game, not fully exploiting his defensive mismatch, but his contribution wasn’t needed as much as others in the end.

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‎Substitutes & Manager

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‎Callum Wilson (6/10): Came on for Isak late in the game to help see out the victory.

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‎Joe Willock (6/10): Willock replaced Barnes and brought energy to the midfield in the final stages.

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‎Emil Krafth (N/A): A late substitution for Murphy.

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‎Eddie Howe (9/10): Howe’s tactical setup and managerial decisions were instrumental in securing the win. He silenced his doubters and delivered a historic achievement for Newcastle.

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‎Newcastle’s victory in the Carabao Cup not only marks the end of a 70-year trophy drought but also highlights the team's resurgence under Howe’s leadership. The club's next challenge will be to continue building on this success as they aim for further silverware in the years to come.