0 shots, 0 crosses, 1/3 dribbles with just 40% duels won, what a FLOP, his time is over at Anfield”- Arne Slot urge must drop 4/10 Liverpool FLOP after devastating display at Wembley
Arne Slot was outsmarted and Liverpool outmuscled in the 2025 Carabao Cup final, and the trophy now belongs to Newcastle United.
It’s been an exceptional campaign for Liverpool, one that many expected to culminate with the Premier League title in hand after Jurgen Klopp’s legendary tenure ended last summer.
However, on Sunday, they were comprehensively outclassed by a Newcastle side that has craved silverware for decades, finally ending a 70-year drought.
Just days after their heartbreaking Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, Liverpool were once again lackluster, unable to match the intensity and confidence of their opponents.
Toothless in attack and dominated in key midfield battles, Liverpool’s season-long euphoria was dulled as they now face a lot to think about before the summer.
Liverpool’s Struggles at Wembley
With over 15 minutes left in normal time, Slot threw everything at Newcastle, bringing on every attacking option he had—but it made no difference.
It was a desperate move that failed, as Newcastle’s defense stood firm against Liverpool’s feeble attacking efforts.
Liverpool’s dismal performances in recent weeks seem out of place considering their stellar season, but now the glory feels far from their grasp.
Overwhelmed would be an apt description. Slot’s usual midfield trio failed to make an impact, winning only seven of 21 combined duels.
Newcastle was quicker to react to second balls and simply wanted the trophy more. It was clear they were the better side.
Federico Chiesa’s late goal offered a glimmer of hope, but it was far too little, too late, as Eddie Howe’s team expertly ran down the clock and controlled the game.
Errors have marred Liverpool’s recent cup exits, but even without those mistakes, it seems Newcastle would still have prevailed.
As The Athletic’s James Pearce aptly put it, it was an “abysmal performance.”
Liverpool’s Frontline Fails to Fire Again
Once again, Liverpool’s once-feared frontline looked ordinary, both against PSG and now against Newcastle, at crucial moments of the season.
While Liverpool’s league performance has been impressive, these cup exits highlight glaring issues at the top end of the pitch.
Mohamed Salah, while still carrying the team in the league, has been less effective in recent weeks, and Diogo Jota was virtually invisible at Wembley.
Subbed off before the hour mark, Jota missed a golden chance to equalize immediately after Burn’s opener, and this marked his tenth consecutive game without scoring.
Luis Diaz has had his moments, but when you consider that only four of his goals have come since November 2024—and just one goal in his last 18 appearances—it’s clear his consistency is in question.
At 27, with his contract running through 2027, the pressure is mounting. Should Liverpool look to cash in on him this summer?
Luis Diaz’s Underwhelming Contribution
Diaz’s season has had its highs, including a memorable hat-trick in the Champions League and a solid start to the Premier League. But his lack of clinical finishing remains his undoing.
Signed for £49m from Porto in 2022 as Sadio Mane’s successor, Diaz has yet to truly prove he can be world-class. His tally of 37 goals in 140 appearances is decent, but not exceptional.
His bundled goal against Wolves in February remains his only strike since Christmas. At Wembley, Diaz looked disconnected from the play, with no real threat on goal.
He completed just one of three attempted dribbles, created only one key pass, and struggled in duels, winning just four out of ten.
Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle wasn’t impressed either, rating Diaz a 4/10 and echoing the sentiment that the Colombian failed to provide any sharpness—plenty of energy, but little end product.
Where Do Liverpool Go From Here?
Liverpool’s performance at Wembley was poor—lackluster legs, waning inspiration, and a lack of sharpness cost them dearly in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Players like Diaz and Jota seem to be playing themselves out of a future at the club, and FSG will have plenty to think about in the coming weeks.
However, with the international break upon us, there’s still a league title to chase. For now, Liverpool’s focus must shift to finishing strong in the Premier League.
