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As Liverpool prepare to defend their Carabao Cup crown against Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 16, Arne Slot’s men find themselves navigating a crucial period that could define their season across multiple competitions.

The 4:30 PM GMT kickoff will see the record 10-time League Cup champions face a Newcastle side desperate to end their 70-year trophy drought.

Liverpool enter this crucial period with significant momentum following their stunning 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

This unexpected result against the French champions has further boosted confidence within Slot’s squad, though they must now maintain focus on their upcoming Premier League clash with Southampton before the return leg against PSG at Anfield—all before turning their attention to Wembley.

Newcastle United announced on Wednesday, March 5, that left-back Lewis Hall will miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season after sustaining an injury to a bone in his foot.

The 20-year-old England international will undergo surgery following consultation with specialists, after which he will begin a period of rehabilitation with the club’s medical team15.

Hall initially picked up what was described as an ankle problem following Newcastle’s Premier League defeat against Liverpool in late February.

After missing the FA Cup match against Brighton on Sunday, March 2, further examination revealed the serious nature of the injury.

The young defender, who joined from Chelsea after a productive loan period, has been instrumental in Newcastle’s campaign, starting Premier League matches consistently since September.

Compounding Newcastle’s selection problems is the three-match suspension of forward Anthony Gordon.

The England international was sent off for violent conduct during Newcastle’s 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

And now, the situation has got even worse for Eddie Howe as Sven Botman is set to undergo knee surgery according to the Daily Mail, ruling him out of the March 16 showdown with Liverpool at Wembley.

The Dutch center-back consulted a specialist on Tuesday who advised that surgery was the best course of action for his ongoing knee issue.

The 24-year-old defender had initially suffered what manager Eddie Howe described as a “knock to his knee” during Newcastle’s impressive 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal at St James’ Park last month.

However, the situation has clearly deteriorated?

After missing five consecutive matches, Botman underwent specialist consultation this week that resulted in the decision for surgical intervention.

While the full extent of his absence remains unclear, Newcastle are reportedly hopeful that this knee issue isn’t as severe as his previous ACL injury.

It comes as yet another blow for the Magpies ahead of their clash with Liverpool later this month.

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