Newcastle United will face Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday the 16th of March in the final of the 2024/25 EFL Cup. The first silverware of the season is on the line, with the Reds hoping it might just be the first of three trophies they can now collect this term. As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe and his troops have the chance to make themselves heroes of the North East by finally ending the club’s long, long wait for silverware.
There are many similarities between the cities of Liverpool and Newcastle. Both are working class, northern, and post-industrial and are famed for the nightlife they offer, as well as the lively atmosphere you encounter there. But in football terms, the two could hardly be more different. Liverpool are serial winners, who have collected trophies over the years with a relentlessness that has probably made them, overall, the most successful team in English football history. Even if some Man United fans might disagree.
In contrast Newcastle, despite the passion of their fans, as demonstrated by their vocal support and the numbers in which they turn out, have not won anywhere near enough trophies to merit status as a “big club”. We aren’t going to open the can of worms that is the big-club debate but four league titles – the last almost 100 years ago – and no domestic cup success for 70 years is not consistent with being a big side as far as most people are concerned.
So, this game sees serial winners pitted against a club whose only additions to the trophy cabinet since 1955 have been second-tier titles and minor European trophies. Indeed, the contrast between the two is starkly illustrated when we consider this very competition, the League Cup. The Magpies have never won it, this being their third final. In contrast, Liverpool are the record winners, with 10 successes to their name and this is set to be their 15th appearance in the final (also a record).
Given this history, and the fact that Liverpool seem to be walking away with the Premier League, there can only be one winner, right? Arne Slot guided his side to seven wins from eight in the Champions League too, as they topped the league phase of that competition. Whilst it is far too early to seriously talk about a treble, you can bet one or two Reds are certainly thinking about it.
This would be the first piece of the jigsaw and the bookies make Slot’s outfit clear favourites to deliver the goods at Wembley. Liverpool are priced at odds of 2/5 to lift the trophy, with Howe’s men out at 7/4 and that looks about right on balance. That said, in a one-off clash there will certainly be plenty of Newcastle supporters happy to back their side at that price.
How Did Newcastle Reach Wembley?
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Round | Nottingham Forest | 1-1 Draw, 4-3 pens |
| 3rd Round | Wimbledon | 1-0 Win |
| 4th Round | Chelsea | 2-0 Win |
| Quarter-Finals | Brentford | 3-1 Win |
| Semi-Finals, Leg 1 | Arsenal (Away) | 2-0 Win |
| Semi-Finals, Leg 2 | Arsenal (Home) | 2-0 Win |
Newcastle have had the longer route to the final, having entered the competition a round earlier than Liverpool. They have also had the tougher pathway and the wins they have already achieved will give them confidence that they can beat the Reds, despite what the oddsmakers believe.
Howe’s side played Forest away first up and eventually prevailed on penalties. Given just how good a season the Nottingham side are having, winning at the City Ground was some feat. Their reward was a home clash with AFC Wimbledon and they didn’t make easy work of that, winning 10 to set up a match in the fourth round against Chelsea. They beat the Blues 2-0 to advance to the quarters, where they faced another PL outfit in the shape of Brentford.
For the third round in a row they were at St James’ Park and again they triumphed by two goals, though this time the score was 3-1. That put them through to the two-legged semi against Arsenal and two more two-goal wins ensued. The Magpies had one foot in the final after a 2-0 win away at the Emirates and then backed it up with a win by the same scoreline to make the final.
They have beaten four PL sides to get to Wembley and now one more awaits. Liverpool will be the toughest test possible but the sides they have beaten are currently second, third, fourth and 11th, so they will have confidence they can cause an upset.
Liverpool’s Route to the Final
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Round | West Ham | 5-1 Win |
| 4th Round | Brighton | 3-2 Win |
| Quarter-Finals | Southampton | 2-1 Win |
| Semi-Finals, Leg 1 | Tottenham (Away) | 1-0 Loss |
| Semi-Finals, Leg 2 | Tottenham (Home) | 4-0 Win |
Liverpool entered the competition at the third round of the EFL Cup due to their European commitments. They have faced four teams, all from the Premier League, but clearly the calibre of opposition has not been the same as that faced by Newcastle.
First, the Reds hammered West Ham 5-1 at Anfield, before another goalfest against Brighton, away, where they won 3-2. They were run surprisingly close by Southampton on the south coast but came through 2-1 to set up their semi final(s) against Spurs.
A late goal from Lucas Bergvall gave Tottenham hope and was enough for Spurs to win the first leg, in London, 1-0. However, Spurs were eventually overrun in the return at Anfield, losing 4-0 in the end, having managed to keep the hosts at bay for the first 33 minutes. It was a job well done by Slot’s men, and they dominated the game, allowing Spurs just five shots, none of which was on target.
Liverpool are the defending champions in this competition having defeated Chelsea in the final last year, 1-0. That game went to extra time and gave them hope that they would end Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club with a strong season that saw them win multiple trophies. It didn’t play out like that, and the EFL Cup was the only competition they won, but they will certainly be optimistic about more this time around.
EFL Cup Record
As said, Liverpool lead Newcastle in terms of EFL Cup wins by an impressive 10-0! The records of both clubs can be seen below.
