Barton rages at Angry Ginge as Luis Diaz issue emerges for Liverpool v Newcastle
Joey Barton has taken aim at YouTuber Angry Ginge ahead of Liverpool facing Newcastle United in Sunday’s EFL Cup Final.
Liverpool take on the Magpies looking to retain the EFL Cup, having lifted the 2023 trophy – the last piece of silverware won by Jurgen Klopp – thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s extra-time header against Chelsea.
Facing a Newcastle side who lost the previous year’s EFL Cup Final to Manchester United, the Reds have a chance to win their first trophy under Arne Slot’s tutelage, and will be also looking to bounce back.
Slot’s side are out of the Champions League after losing to on penalties to PSG in their last-16 second leg on Wednesday, leaving just the Premier League and EFL Cup as silverware they can win this season.
Joey Barton fears for Luis Diaz ahead of Liverpool v Newcastle
Liverpool returning to the hallowed turf of Wembley has been preceded by the national stadium hosting a YouTuber charity match between SideMen FC and the YouTube All-Stars, leading to conflicting fallout.
| Date | Competition | Stadium | Result | Liverpool Scorers |
| 4 December 2024 | Premier League | St. James’ Park | 3-3 | Jones, Salah (2) |
| 26 February | Premier League | Anfield | 2-0 | Szoboszlai, Mac Allister |
| 16 March 2025 | EFL Cup Final | Wembley Stadium | TBC | – |
An individual not happy with Wembley staging the event was Joey Barton who, speaking on his ‘Common Sense’ podcast (12 March), said YouTuber Angry Ginge could cause problems for the likes of Luis Diaz.
Barton said: “Why is he [Angry Ginge] sliding on the turf? That is a problem next week.
“If Diaz picks the ball up in that situation, that is a problem, that is a dint [in the pitch] that you’re going to have to navigate.”
Luis Diaz can be difference maker for Liverpool v Newcastle
Although Liverpool have injury problems of their own to worry about ahead of Sunday’s final, with Trent Alexander-Arnold going off injured against PSG, but so too do Eddie Howe’s depleted Magpies.
Mo Salah could be set to have a field day down Liverpool’s right flank after Newcastle’s first-choice left-back Lewis Hall was ruled out until the end of the season, while winger Anthony Gordon is also banned.
On the other side, Newcastle may have Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento to choose from, and Diaz is much more likely to have trouble contending with either of that duo than he is the Wembley pitch.
Liverpool have been frequent visitors to north-west London, playing there at least once in each of the last four season, but Slot, Diaz and every other Reds player will be ready to stand to attention.