Eddie Howe was blown away by what Liverpool players did after Carabao Cup final defeat

Newcastle United ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought with a memorable 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured a historic win for Eddie Howe’s side, while Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm, looking fatigued just days after a grueling Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shoot-out.

Eddie Howe, reflecting on the occasion, was deeply moved by the sportsmanship displayed by Liverpool at Wembley. The Newcastle manager commended Liverpool for their “absolute class” despite the disappointment of their defeat.

Arne Slot Reflects on Liverpool’s Performance

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, shared his thoughts on why this loss felt significantly different from their Champions League exit earlier in the week. Speaking candidly in his post-match interview, Slot acknowledged Newcastle’s superior performance and tactical approach.

“Even Liverpool can lose football games,” Slot remarked. “Today, we were outplayed in their style. It wasn’t about running or pressing; it was about duels and battles. This game unfolded exactly how they wanted, with a lot of fights and challenges. There was no intensity, so you can’t even say we were physically tired. The game was slow, and they bypassed our press effectively.”

While it was a frustrating afternoon for the Premier League leaders, Slot emphasized the need to learn from such defeats, especially in high-stakes matches.

Eddie Howe’s Admiration for Liverpool

Eddie Howe, who has experienced the heartbreak of a Carabao Cup final defeat himself—when Newcastle lost to Manchester United in 2023—was full of praise for Liverpool’s conduct after the final whistle.

“I have to compliment Liverpool,” Howe said in his post-match comments, as reported by Liverpool World. “Liverpool have been the best team in the Premier League this year by a mile, and we knew we had to raise our game to have any chance.

“We needed everyone to give their maximum, and I thought they did. But I also have to commend how Liverpool handled themselves after the game. Having been on the losing side in a final, I know how difficult it is. Their manager, their players—they were absolute class.”

Acts of Respect: Van Dijk and Slot

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock highlighted the moments of sportsmanship that followed Newcastle’s victory. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Warnock described how Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk approached the Newcastle squad to congratulate them.

“There was an embrace between Virgil van Dijk and Dan Burn,” Warnock explained. “Van Dijk stood at the Newcastle huddle and made the effort to shake every player’s hand. It was a sign of respect—a class act from him.”

Similarly, Arne Slot was seen acknowledging each Newcastle player with a hand-slap before they ascended the podium to collect their medals. These gestures of mutual respect underscored the spirit of sportsmanship that transcended the disappointment of defeat.

A Day to Remember

For Newcastle, the victory marked the end of a long wait for domestic silverware and a moment of immense pride for players, staff, and fans. For Liverpool, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but their dignity in defeat earned them widespread admiration.

As Eddie Howe rightly noted, the class and respect shown by Liverpool at Wembley served as a powerful reminder of what makes football a truly beautiful game.