Liverpool are preparing for the Carabao Cup final – and it means even more after midweek disappointment.
The Reds crashed out of the Champions League in the round-of-16 by losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, who came to Anfield and claimed a 1-0 win in normal time to level the scores on aggregate. Misses from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones made the difference, meaning that Arne Slot and Co. now only have domestic football to focus on.
But there are much worse consolation prizes than being 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and facing Newcastle at Wembley. Slot’s men are determined to retain the trophy and it’d be their first piece of silverware under the Dutchman.
Here’s a round-up of the latest news from Anfield.
Van Dijk backs Alexander-Arnold replacement
Virgil van Dijk believes that Jarell Quansah is ready to step up and replacement Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool right-back was ruled out of Sunday’s final. With Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also out injured, Quansah is expected to fill in for Alexander-Arnold, who came off injured against PSG.
“Everyone who’s on the bench or not starting has to try and make an impact,” Van Dijk declared. “I’ve not even spoken to Trent as I’ve not seen him yet, I’ve no idea what it is. If Jarell plays right-back, then he has to do as best as he can do. He has shown tonight that he can do it.”
Robinson speaks out on Liverpool links
Antonee Robinson has poured cold water on links of a summer move to Liverpool. The Fulham left-back has been tipped to succeed Andy Robertson, having enjoyed an impressive season at Craven Cottage.
But Robinson, 27, told ESPN regarding the speculation: “Transfer rumours and stuff like that, I try not to look at. Especially like with the Liverpool one – all my friends and family are from Liverpool, so it’s more of them messaging me than me seeing newspaper stuff. And I have to say, ‘Look, it’s just, just a story in the paper and anyone who’s doing well is going to get linked to a team’.”
Szoboszlai’s message for Wembley
Dominik Szoboszlai has vowed to give ‘everything’ to beat Newcastle 12 months after he was ruled out of the last Carabao Cup final through injury. Liverpool’s No.8 missed last year’s win against Chelsea but he’s relishing the chance to play at Wembley and lift a trophy.
“We are ready to fight,” Szoboszlai told club media. “You never know who is going to play, but it doesn’t matter on our side who is playing in midfield – everybody is ready to fight and everybody is ready to give everything for the team.”
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