Newcastle United post surprise Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman update ahead of Liverpool clash
Newcastle United’s squad is on its way to London as they prepare for the highly anticipated Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this Sunday. Despite a few notable absences, the Magpies are determined to put on a strong performance at Wembley.
Eddie Howe’s side will be without four players for the final, three of whom are considered first-team regulars. Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are sidelined due to injuries, while Anthony Gordon is serving the second game of his three-match suspension.
Club captain Jamaal Lascelles will also miss the match as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury, having not featured since March 2024.
Although these players won’t be taking the field on Sunday, three of them—Botman, Gordon, and Lascelles—were seen traveling with the squad to London.
A video shared on Newcastle’s official social media accounts showed the trio boarding the plane alongside their teammates, a gesture that highlights the unity and camaraderie within the group. While Lascelles has been out of action for some time, the recent losses of Gordon, Hall, and Botman dealt a significant blow to Newcastle’s preparations for the final.
These setbacks came in quick succession following their FA Cup exit to Brighton, but a morale-boosting victory over West Ham on Monday night has lifted spirits ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Eddie Howe addressed the challenges posed by these absences and expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“You have to come together stronger,” Howe said. “In the week that we lost those players, it certainly didn’t go as planned. Losing big players, important players, is never easy, but you have to regroup and come back stronger in a more unified way. That’s always the key aspect—it’s how you respond to it.
We try to double down on our core strengths, and that doesn’t change regardless of the individuals available. The spirit has been really good, and that’s why the West Ham win was so important. It wasn’t lost on any of us after the game. That victory increased our feeling, our unity, and our belief internally. We needed that win.”
Howe also praised the team’s preparation in the lead-up to the final, emphasizing the positive atmosphere within the camp. “Training has been good this week, and the preparation has been very good,” he added.
“I’ve been happy with how everything is looking to this point. We still have two days left to go, but everything’s positive now.”
On the other side of the pitch, Liverpool will also be without a key player for the final. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who suffered an injury during Tuesday night’s match against PSG, has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash.
However, Ibrahima Konate is expected to feature despite also leaving the pitch early in midweek. His availability will be a boost for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they aim to secure silverware.
For Newcastle, the Carabao Cup final represents a chance to end a long wait for domestic silverware. The Magpies last won a major trophy in 1969, and their fans are eager to see their team lift the cup at Wembley.
Despite the absence of key players, Howe’s men have shown resilience and determination throughout the season, and their recent victory over West Ham has provided a timely confidence boost.
The unity and spirit within the squad, as highlighted by Howe, will be crucial as they face a formidable Liverpool side.
As the countdown to the final continues, Newcastle’s players and fans alike are filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The journey to Wembley is not just about the match itself but also about the opportunity to make history and bring joy to the club’s passionate supporters.
With Howe’s leadership and the squad’s collective resolve, Newcastle United will be aiming to defy the odds and emerge victorious in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.