Arne Slot decides on Curtis Jones experiment as £35m man returns: Liverpool's Carabao Cup final predicted XI
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Liverpool are set to compete for the first trophy on offer in English football on Sunday.
The Reds travel to Wembley to take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final as Arne Slot looks to win a trophy in his first season at Liverpool – an achievement Jurgen Klopp, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley couldn’t do.
The final is just as big for Eddie Howe as the English coach looks to end Newcastle’s long wait for silverware, with the Tyneside club’s history in cup finals the main reason Gary Neville has predicted Liverpool to beat the Magpies.
Paul Merson believes Liverpool’s penalty heartbreak against PSG has handed Newcastle an advantage, and after their Champions League exit, Slot has some big decisions to make.
Defence
Alisson has been in tremendous form for Liverpool of late and his performance against PSG in Paris is all that is needed to show evidence of this, however, a recent report stated Slot is expected to select Caoimhin Kelleher for the Carabao Cup final, which could be the Irish star’s last game for the Reds.
Andy Robertson is expected to line up at left-back for the Merseyside club but Slot has a decision to make at right-back following the injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold on Tuesday night.
The Liverpool boss hinted that Curtis Jones could be used in the role on Friday, but having brought on Jarell Quansah to replace Alexander-Arnold against PSG, that is the route the Dutch coach is likely to go down.
When it comes to the centre-backs, Slot is expected to look no further than his main duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as that partnership has been exceptional this season.
Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield is the most settled part of their team heading into the Carabao Cup final as Slot is not likely to spring any surprises.
The Dutch coach has trusted Ryan Gravenberch in the number six role throughout the 2024/25 campaign and that is unlikely to change on Sunday.
Partnering the 22-year-old in the middle of the park will be Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai with these three players having the potential to influence the entire game at Wembley.
The Reds trio have a very tough battle to look forward to against Newcastle as the Magpies’ midfield is arguably just as good as the Premier League leaders.
- READ MORE: Mohamed Salah reveals what he will do on the way to Wembley ahead of Liverpool vs Newcastle
Attack
Liverpool will be hoping Mohamed Salah fires them to glory in the Carabao Cup final as that is what the Egyptian superstar has been doing for the Reds all season.
Partnering the 32-year-old will be Luis Diaz, however, the Colombian may expect a switch of position as he could be used through the middle against the Magpies.
The only change to Slot’s forward line is likely to be Diogo Jota as the Portuguese star has struggled of late and was poor against PSG on Tuesday night.
Cody Gakpo looks set to return to Liverpool’s starting 11 at Wembley as the Dutch star has been experiencing his best season at Anfield since completing his £35m move from PSV Eindhoven back in 2022.
Whatever line up Slot goes with, Liverpool have a big challenge in front of them on Sunday, and it may require more than just the starting 11 to bring the Carabao Cup back to Merseyside.
