Savage reacts to Liverpool v Newcastle EFL Cup final development – ‘Devastated’
Liverpool are gearing up a crucial week in their quest to win a memorable treble.
Liverpool defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday in a terse 1-0 encounter at the Parc des Princes.
Arne Slot‘s men welcome Southampton to Anfield on Saturday (8 March), before PSG travel to Merseyside for the second leg of their last-16 encounter on Tuesday.
Then it’s showtime, as Liverpool take on Newcastle United at Wembley in the EFL Cup final in a bid to get the first of potentially three trophies in the bag.
Liverpool receive Anthony Gordon boost
The Reds would have been fancied as favourites in the showpiece game anyway but injuries to Lewis Hall and Sven Botman already weakened Eddie Howe’s men.
Anthony Gordon then receiving a straight red card in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend then ruled him out in a huge boost to Liverpool’s chances.
| Opponent | Home or away |
| Southampton (Premier League) | Home |
| PSG (Champions League) | Home |
| Newcastle United (EFL Cup) | Neutral |
| Everton (Premier League) | Home |
Eddie Howe explained that Newcastle would not be appealing against the decision, with Gordon – once linked to Liverpool – to miss out.
BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage, writing in the Daily Mirror’s print edition on Saturday (8 March, page 67), accepts it was the right decision.
He opined: “It’s devastating for Anthony Gordon, and a setback for Newcastle, that the winger will miss the Carabao Cup final after being sent off against Brighton. But it was a definite red card.”
Crunch time for Liverpool and Slot
It has been a memorable debut campaign for Slot so far, with the Dutchman leading Liverpool to a healthy 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool put in an ugly performance against PSG but came away victorious in a result that leaves them in great shape to make the last eight in the Champions League.
Having to play that return fixture just a few days before a major final in the EFL Cup against Newcastle is, admittedly, not the most ideal scenario.
But these are the dilemmas you want as a manager and a supporter, you want to be playing these huge fixtures at this crunch time in the season.
Yes it will be difficult, yes there are several hurdles still to clear, but what a time it is for Liverpool supporters as they hope to see their side add to an already cramped trophy room.
The next week or so is shaping up to be hugely exciting.