'Pharaoh' Mohamed Salah (33, Liverpool) was held to 0 shots. As a result, Liverpool also bowed their heads in the Carabao Cup, following their Champions League exit.

On the 17th (Korean time), Liverpool lost 2-1 to Newcastle United in the 2024-2025 Carabao Cup final held at Wembley Stadium in London, England, finishing as runners-up.

This is, quite literally, the worst scenario for Liverpool. Liverpool lost to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a penalty shootout on the 12th in their home ground, getting eliminated in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). The shock was significant as they had won the first leg in Paris 1-0, only to collapse at home.

With their pride wounded, Liverpool focused all their efforts on winning the Carabao Cup, but they also failed. They missed their chance to lift the first trophy under newly appointed coach Arne Slot this season.

In contrast, Newcastle made history by becoming the first in the club's history to win the Carabao Cup. Newcastle's victory as Carabao Cup champions came 132 years after the club was founded in 1892. Head coach Eddie Howe achieved his first managerial trophy, excluding winning the Championship (second division) in the 2014-2015 season.

Liverpool started with a 4-2-3-1 formation. DIO Jota, Luis Díaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Jarell Quansah, and Caoimhín Kelleher made the starting lineup.

Newcastle faced off with a 4-3-3 formation. Harvey Barnes, Alexander Isak, Danny Murphy, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Fabian Schär, Kieran Trippier, and Nick Pope formed the starting lineup.

From the start of the first half, Newcastle's attacks were much more threatening. Liverpool tried to take the lead with relatively high possession, but Newcastle unleashed shots based on concise attacks and set pieces. In the 34th minute of the first half, Barnes broke through the left side and crossed, but Isak's and Trippier's successive shots were blocked by the defense.

The pressing Newcastle broke through with the first goal. It was from a set piece. In the 45th minute of the first half, Trippier delivered a high trajectory corner kick from the left side. Burn ran in and headed strongly, pushing the ball into the corner of the goal. The first half concluded with Newcastle leading 1-0.

The second half was not much different. Although Liverpool recorded 75% possession, they had no significant outcomes. Instead, Newcastle's counterattacks were even more fierce. In the 6th minute of the second half, Isak pushed a shot that hit the goalkeeper back into the net, but it was ruled offside from the earlier play.

Newcastle managed to score an additional goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, Livramento delivered a long cross from the left, and Murphy headed the ball down. Isak finished with an accurate shot to make it 2-0. This time, Isak, who scored, approached the stands and climbed onto the boards, exhilarating Newcastle fans.

Desperate, Liverpool brought on Curtis Jones, Darwin Núñez, and KODI Gakpo to launch a full-scale attack. However, in a counterattack opportunity in the 14th minute of the second half, Jones's shot was stopped by Pope's fantastic save, failing to create a follow-up.

Newcastle could not seal the deal. In the 19th minute of the second half, Guimarães sent a fantastic lob pass to Barnes penetrating the left side of the box. Barnes passed the ball toward the goal, and Isak got his foot on it in mid-air. It was a perfect attacking sequence, but Kelleher made a super save at the last moment.

Liverpool used all five of their substitutions by bringing in Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa in the 29th minute of the second half. However, Newcastle maintained their focus and continued their solid defense. In the 34th minute of the second half, Chiesa missed an opportunity with a poor touch inside the box.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were given. Liverpool finally scored their first goal in the 4th minute of stoppage time. Chiesa broke through the defensive line and shook the net with a left-footed shot. However, there was not enough time left for a miracle. The match ended with Newcastle's victory.

Overall, Newcastle was clearly deserving of the win. Newcastle dominated the expected goals (xG) with a score of 1.84 to 0.89. The difference in effective shots was also significant, with 2 to 6. Especially painful for Liverpool was 'Ace' Salah being limited to 0 shots throughout the 90 minutes. Salah had been in incredible form this season with 32 goals and 22 assists in official matches, but remained silent at the most critical moment, failing to deliver a trophy to the team.

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[OSEN = Ko Seong-hwan, reporter]