Liverpool ‘lucky’ as £85m star escape Carabao Cup final v Newcastle United ban
Liverpool secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday, setting the stage for a crucial week that includes a Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain and the highly anticipated Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United next Sunday.
However, the win was not without controversy, as Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez found himself at the center of a heated debate following a reckless challenge that many believe should have resulted in a red card.
The incident occurred in the first half when Nunez, frustrated after Southampton took an early lead through Will Smallbone’s goal, deliberately swiped at the legs of Kyle Walker-Peters.
Referee Lewis Smith showed the Uruguayan a yellow card, but former Blackburn Rovers and Celtic striker Chris Sutton argued that Nunez was fortunate to remain on the pitch. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton said, “It was such a reckless, daft challenge. Liverpool lucky to have 11 on the pitch.” VAR reviewed the incident but upheld the on-field decision, allowing Nunez to continue playing.
Had Nunez been sent off, he would have faced a three-match domestic suspension, ruling him out of the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart offered his perspective on the incident during Match of the Day, stating, “We see on the replay that he’s missed the ball. Luckily, he’s also missed the player because that could have been a terrible, terrible incident at the end of the first half—1-0 down and losing a player.”
Despite the controversy, Nunez played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s comeback. He scored the equalizer in the 51st minute and won the penalty that Mohamed Salah converted to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
The Reds eventually sealed the win with a third goal, maintaining their momentum ahead of a packed schedule. While Liverpool boast a wealth of attacking options, including Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz, Nunez’s presence remains crucial, especially given his history against Newcastle.
Newcastle fans will undoubtedly remember Nunez’s heroics at St James’ Park last season when he came off the bench to score two late goals, overturning a 1-0 deficit and securing a dramatic victory for Liverpool, who played most of the match with 10 men following Virgil van Dijk’s red card. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations makes him a player Newcastle will need to closely monitor in the upcoming final.
Before the Carabao Cup showdown, both teams face important fixtures. Newcastle, who will be without the suspended Anthony Gordon and injured duo Lewis Hall (ankle) and Sven Botman (knee), travel to West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday. The Magpies will be eager to bounce back from their recent FA Cup exit and build momentum ahead of the final.
Meanwhile, Liverpool turn their attention to the Champions League, where they host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the second leg of their last-16 tie. Arne Slot’s side holds a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, thanks to a late goal by Harvey Elliott.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as Liverpool aim to advance in Europe’s premier club competition while balancing their domestic ambitions.
As the week unfolds, both Liverpool and Newcastle will be focused on navigating their respective challenges. For Liverpool, maintaining their form across multiple competitions will be key, while Newcastle will look to overcome injury setbacks and rediscover their rhythm.
The stage is set for an exciting Carabao Cup final, with Nunez’s potential involvement adding an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a fiercely contested match.