Howe Remains Optimistic Ahead of League Cup Final Despite Mounting Injury Concerns at Newcastle

Newcastle United are in a positive mood despite some setbacks in their squad, and they aim to present a united front as they prepare to return to Wembley Stadium for the League Cup final against Liverpool, according to manager Eddie Howe’s comments on Friday.

The Magpies will be without centre-back Sven Botman and left-back Lewis Hall, both of whom have sustained injuries this month. Additionally, winger Anthony Gordon is sidelined due to a suspension after receiving a red card in an FA Cup clash.

“Everyone else is available. It’s tough losing key players, but we need to regroup and come back stronger together,” Howe stated to the media ahead of Sunday’s match.

“We’ve made it a point to reinforce our core strengths. The spirit within the squad is excellent, which is why the victory against West Ham was so crucial. We’re feeling quite optimistic.”

“I always face tough decisions when selecting the team. We assess the opposition and determine who fits where. Our squad is tight, so we don’t have a multitude of options.”

Newcastle have the opportunity to clinch their first major trophy since 1955, having previously reached the League Cup final in 2023, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

When asked about the lessons learned from that loss, Howe remarked: “It’s difficult to pinpoint specifics. We’ve grown more comfortable in high-pressure situations, which has been crucial for us since arriving here. That experience in big matches should aid us in crucial moments.”

“Overall, we’ve maintained our competitiveness in key games. We have flexibility in our style while also adhering to a clear methodology. Being organised in and out of possession will be vital for our performance…”

“We aim to end the wait for a trophy. This isn’t a negative; we’re viewing it as an opportunity to make history and be remembered fondly.”

Leading Newcastle’s attack will be striker Alexander Isak, who has scored 22 goals across all competitions this season. However, he may face a tough challenge against a Liverpool defence marshalled by Virgil van Dijk.

“I wouldn’t say I’m fearful of anyone, as that’s a strong term,” Isak stated when discussing the prospect of facing the Dutch centre-back.

“I hold a great deal of respect for Van Dijk and their entire backline. My focus is on delivering my best performance, as that benefits the team as a whole.”

“It’s not my individual match-up against one player; it’s Newcastle versus Liverpool. Football is a team effort, and what matters is how we perform collectively. I will certainly leverage my qualities to help elevate our game.”