I witnessed Newcastle’s Carabao Cup passion – Liverpool must remember its significance.
Newcastle secured a crucial victory over Arsenal on Wednesday night at St James’ Park, with an electric atmosphere driving them to a 2-0 win (4-0 on aggregate). While the Carabao Cup may not hold the same weight for Liverpool, Thursday’s match presents a valuable opportunity for Arne Slot.
The semi-final lineup in December set the stage for compelling narratives. Arsenal, despite their progress under Mikel Arteta, are still searching for a major trophy, with Arteta even highlighting his Community Shield wins. Tottenham, often criticized for their lack of silverware, sees their Carabao Cup run as crucial, especially with Ange Postecoglou’s future possibly hinging on it. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has transformed Newcastle since taking charge in 2021, and the club is desperate to end its 70-year trophy drought.
Newcastle’s victory was celebrated with immense passion. The fans created an electric atmosphere, making it seem as though Arsenal was up against not just the team but the entire stadium. Howe’s tactical approach—absorbing pressure and striking on the counter—worked perfectly, fueled by the crowd’s relentless support. The result felt inevitable, as Newcastle fans willed their team into the final.
Liverpool’s situation, however, is different. While Newcastle, Arsenal, and Tottenham are hungry for silverware, Liverpool, as the reigning Carabao Cup champions, doesn’t carry the same level of desperation. Competing on multiple fronts, including the Champions League, some fans may not view the Carabao Cup as a top priority. However, Slot understands its significance—many great managerial eras have started with this trophy, as seen with José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
With Liverpool just one step away from Wembley, a determined performance against injury-hit Spurs could be a key moment in Slot’s tenure. As he emphasized, expectations remain high regardless of the competition: “If you wear this shirt, if you go out at Anfield, there is only one thing that is expected of you – and that’s winning the game.”
Despite its lower prestige compared to European competitions, Thursday night’s clash should not be taken lightly.