Liverpool v Newcastle Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams for EFL Cup final

The first major trophy of the English season will be decided at Wembley on Sunday as Liverpool face Newcastle United in the final of the EFL Cup.

Having tumbled out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage, losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool are hoping to cap a difficult week on a high by claiming the first trophy of an anticipated double for the Premier League leaders.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are seeking to end their infamous 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy, the Magpies last such honour coming when they won the FA Cup in 1955. Their most recent major trophy of any kind was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner to the UEFA Cup/Europa League, which Newcastle won in 1969.

101GreatGoals.com has you covered for the lineups, team news and confirmed starting sides.

Liverpool lineup v Newcastle

Arne Slot has made a big call at goalkeeper, going with Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of Premier League and Champions League No. 1 Allison.

Slot said of that decision: “That was not that difficult, for all the other games [in the cup] we’ve always played the second-choice.”

Jarell Quansah predictably gets the start at right-back with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley unavailable.

Here’s how we line up for the #CarabaoCupFinal 👊

UP THE REDS! 🔴

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 16, 2025

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher, Quansah, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Díaz; Jota.

Liverpool subs: Alisson, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, McConnell

Newcastle lineup v Liverpool

With injuries to Lewis Hall and Sven Botman, along with Anthony Gordon’s suspension, there are few surprises in the Newcastle XI, which is the same as the one that beat West Ham in the Premier League on Monday.

The one eyebrow-raising decision is, like Liverpool, in goal, where Nick Pope keeps his place ahead of Martin Dubravka.

Dubravka was excellent during Pope’s injury lay-off earlier in the season, with the England international often shaky since his return. He will need to rise to the occasion if Newcastle are to end their trophy drought.

Your Carabao Cup Final Magpies 💪

HOWAY THE LADS! 🖤🤍#wedontdoquiet pic.twitter.com/YRIL9XWrFV

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025

Newcastle starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.

Newcastle subs: Dubravka, Wilson, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, Neave.