Ally McCoist shocked by ‘Disaster’ ahead of Liverpool v Newcastle United
A potential “disaster” for Newcastle United has become reality ahead of their EFL Cup final clash against Liverpool this month.
Liverpool face the Magpies at Wembley on 16 March with both Arne Slot and Eddie Howe looking to secure a first piece of silverware at their respective clubs and the Reds hoping for the first of a treble.
Both clubs will return to North London having each dispatched North London sides in the semi-finals; Liverpool coming back to beat Tottenham 4-1 on aggregate and Newcastle twice defeating Arsenal 2-0.
Unlike Liverpool, Newcastle’s schedule ahead of the final is a quiet one with just one Premier League fixture after Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Brighton, but that game has proven to be one with huge impacts.
McCoist moots Newcastle ‘disaster’ after Anthony Gordon incident
Newcastle may only have one match between the EFL Cup final and their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Brighton, but Anthony Gordon’s actions in Sunday’s match could be huge for their date with Liverpool.
The Magpies winger received a straight red card for lashing out at Brighton’s Jan-Paul van Hecke, and speaking on commentary for ITV1 (2 March, 3:29pm), Sam Matterface and Ally McCoist reacted.
| Player | Appearances (all competitions) | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Anthony Gordon | 33 | 29 | 9 | 5 |
Matterface said: “There’s every chance they might appeal it – it might get overturned and might not be as damning as that, but on the face of it, that could be a three-game ban and he’s going to miss the cup final.”
McCoist replied: “Which is a disaster, not just personally for Anthony Gordon but for the team.
“I mentioned to you in the first 15 minutes of the game [that] if they’re going to beat Liverpool,. the one thing they’re going to have to be is at full strength, with all their players available.”
Anthony Gordon gives Liverpool massive EFL Cup Final advantage
Every single Liverpool fan would prefer to face Newcastle without Gordon at Wembley on 16 March, and thanks to the England forward’s reckless red card, they could now get their wish ahead of schedule.
Newcastle minus Gordon are a much less impressive and frightening side, and given he’s got nine goals and six assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, Liverpool will relish his absence.
Gordon could well be given a reprieve if the Magpies successfully appeal his red card, but given the incident doesn’t put Gordon in a good light from any angle, there’s little chance of that happening.
Given he’s been a transfer target for Liverpool, the Reds are well aware of the qualities Gordon brings to the frontline in any match, and facing Newcastle without him will make Slot’s side heavy favourites.
That billing has already been established by Liverpool’s lofty league position and dominant European displays this term, but few will give Newcastle any hope at all without Gordon in their ranks.