A mismatch in terms of EFL Cup trophies won, Liverpool and Newcastle United do battle in the 2024-25 showpiece event at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, where either an all-time record or agonising drought will be extended.
The Reds - who are the most successful side in the history of the tournament - come into the main event aiming to defend their 10th title from the 2023-24 season, and they would equal an English football record set by Manchester United if they can successfully do so.
On the other hand, Newcastle could be celebrating their first major trophy in 70 years under the famous arch, having not taken home a significant honour since prevailing in the 1954-55 FA Cup final.
With attacking superpowers in the shape of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak on show, Sunday's final is shaping up to be a blockbuster affair, but who will be collecting their winners' medals after the full-time whistle has blown?
Here, the Sports Mole team has their say on whether Liverpool or Newcastle will triumph in the 2024-25 EFL Cup final.
Barney Corkhill - Editor: Liverpool
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This should be a cracking match between the best team in the country and the team that arguably is more desperate for a trophy than any other in England right now.
Newcastle should want it more and their fans should make it feel like more of a home game than a neutral venue given the rarity of the occasion for them, although those things also should have also been true in 2023, when they surrendered rather meekly to a Manchester United team that are much worse than the Liverpool side they will come up against on Sunday.
Liverpool's painful midweek Champions League exit will undoubtedly help Newcastle in terms of having the fresher legs; even without the injury concerns that arose against Paris Saint-Germain, the Liverpool players looked out on their feet at the end of extra time, and losing will have only made those aches and pains worse over the following days.
However, I also believe that the Champions League exit will make Liverpool all the more determined to not suffer that feeling again this weekend. This is their final game of the month, and they are so far clear in the Premier League that, barring a highly unlikely turn of events, this could be their last game of the entire season with any huge jeopardy on it. If there is any game to snap Liverpool out of any Champions League hangover, it is a cup final.
Assuming an almighty collapse does not occur in the Premier League, this will be a memorable season for Liverpool regardless of what happens on Sunday, whereas for Newcastle Sunday has the potential to be arguably the greatest day in most fans' memory.
That said, I am backing Liverpool to come out on top and pick up the first trophy of the Arne Slot era, and the first of a domestic double this season.
Matt Law - Football Editor: Newcastle
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Newcastle's recent form has not exactly been terrific, losing three of their last five matches in all competitions, but I just have a feeling for the Magpies here.
Liverpool are the favourites and the better team - that is clear - but the Reds will have been damaged by their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Newcastle need a big performance at Wembley if they are to emerge victorious, but there is enough talent in their squad to secure a famous win.
I fancy Isak to find the back of the net in a narrow Newcastle victory, but it would not be surprising to see this match go all the way to penalties.
Ben Knapton - Senior Reporter: Liverpool
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If Murphy, Isak and Barnes can channel their inner Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Slot's depleted backline - especially his ravaged right-hand side - could be in for another rough ride.
However, the Magpies have been far from convincing on the defensive front themselves in recent weeks, and whether a group of players possessing far less cup-final experience than Liverpool can bear the weight of expectation remains to be seen.
A closely-contested battle should still be expected, especially with Howe's side also boasting the fresher set of legs, but Slot still has my vote to mastermind a narrow victory and enjoy his first trophy lift in English football.
Oliver Thomas - Senior Reporter: Liverpool
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A closely-contested clash that promises to be a momentous occasion for both clubs should be in store on Sunday. While Liverpool are motivated to win their first major honour under new boss Arne Slot, Eddie Howe is determined to end Newcastle's painful 70-year wait to lift silverware.
Slot will not allow Liverpool's midweek Champions League exit to dampen their spirits and even with a depleted defence - missing a key cog and creative outlet in the form of injured right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold - the Merseyside giants will still be regarded as favourites to retain the EFL Cup.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will enter Sunday's showpiece as underdogs. Not only will Howe be without his first-choice left side combination of Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon, but the Magpies' record both in finals and at Wembley leaves little to be desired.
Indeed, Newcastle have suffered defeat in each of their five major domestic cup finals since winning their last trophy back in 1955, while they have also lost each of their last nine games at Wembley, which is the worst run of any team in the stadium's history.
Creating chances for talisman Alexander Isak should not be an issue for Newcastle, but at the other end they have been far from convincing on the defensive front in recent weeks, and if the Magpies face Liverpool star Mohamed Salah at his effervescent best - the Egyptian has been directly involved in 18 goals in 16 games against Newcastle for Liverpool in all competitions (10 goals, eight assists) - then they may come up short once again under the famous Wembley arch.
Joel Lefevre - Reporter: Liverpool
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It is always difficult to predict what will happen in a one-off match, as evidenced in the previous FA Cup final when Manchester United surprised Manchester City in the big game. Newcastle are under pressure to win the club's first trophy since 1955 and must face a Liverpool side in a foul mood after exiting the Champions League versus Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
Both sides have quality attackers in Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah who can break the game open. However, Liverpool's experience in these big games will overpower the Magpies. The Reds' lengthy unbeaten run against Newcastle gives them a massive psychological edge heading into the final.
Joshua Cole - Reporter: Liverpool
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Liverpool are the favourites heading into this EFL Cup final, as they have more difference makers in Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
However, having just come off an exhausting 120 minutes in the Champions League, the Reds could be fatigued against a Newcastle that last played on Monday, while they could also be without Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Despite this, I still have them as slight favourites as the Magpies are weakened due to the absence of the suspended Anthony Gordon and injured Lewis Hall.
Anthony Brown - Reporter: Newcastle
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Neither Liverpool nor Newcastle enter Sunday's final in the best shape, and that is probably a good thing, as there is no sure-fire favourite.
Arne Slot's side have looked leggy since the turn of the year, and midweek exertions and ultimate disappointment against PSG could be exploited by a Newcastle side that are not pulling up trees at present and have to deal with the absence of the suspended Anthony Gordon and injured Lewis Hall.
Although history favours the Reds, who are unbeaten in 17 in this fixture, the agony of failing at this stage two years back should propel Eddie Howe's men to a historic victory at the Home of Football. It is their time.
Sam Varley - Reporter: Liverpool
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Left wounded by their Champions League exit in midweek, I can only envisage Liverpool making their quality count and bouncing back to winning ways at Wembley to collect the first major silverware of the season and their first under Arne Slot.
The Reds face a tough test against a Newcastle United side hoping to go one better than their 2022-23 attempt, but I see them falling short in a close encounter, with Liverpool retaining the title they won for the 10th time last season.
Andrew Delaney - Reporter: Liverpool
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This will be one of the more straightforward finals to predict across England and Europe this season.
Arne Slot's side are running away with the title and nobody domestically has been able to compete with them, even cruising through the earlier rounds of the EFL Cup with a weakened side against fellow Premier League opposition.
Newcastle have gone many decades without a major trophy, falling at the final hurdle on multiple occasions, and Eddie Howe came up short against Man United two years ago, and the odds are certainly stacked against them here again.
Anthony Nolan - Reporter: Liverpool
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Liverpool might be bearing some wear and tear from their 120-minute Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, but they tend to find a way to win at Wembley.
With the Premier League title all but sealed, the Reds will be raring to go in what is likely to be the individual match with the most at stake for them this season, though Newcastle will be sure to make Arne Slot's tired team work for the win.
Read more on Liverpool vs Newcastle United
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- Will Trent turn out at Wembley? Liverpool injury, suspension list for EFL Cup final
- Click here to read our full preview for Liverpool vs Newcastle United
- Trent blow, Konate boost? Predicted Liverpool XI for EFL Cup final
- Dubravka or Pope? Any nasty surprises? Predicted Newcastle XI for EFL Cup final
- Salah's Wembley woes, Howe to emulate Redknapp? Best stats ahead of EFL Cup final
Ben Knapton
