Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley showcased several tactical errors by manager Arne Slot. The defeat not only dashed Liverpool’s cup hopes but also revealed weaknesses that Newcastle effectively exploited. Four key mistakes contributed to the Reds’ setback:
1. Insufficient Marking of Dan Burn
Newcastle’s first goal originated from a set-piece where the towering Dan Burn was left unguarded. Liverpool’s zonal marking strategy placed five players near the goal, with three assigned to man-mark opponents. Alexis Mac Allister, considerably shorter than Burn, was nearest to him during the corner. Slot justified this tactic, noting Burn’s unusual positioning and the rarity of such goals. Nonetheless, not assigning a taller defender to mark Burn proved detrimental.
2. Late Deployment of Harvey Elliott
Liverpool’s midfield was outperformed by Newcastle’s trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton. Ryan Gravenberch’s performance was subpar, Mac Allister seemed fatigued, and Dominik Szoboszlai’s efforts were insufficient. The match took a positive turn for Liverpool when Harvey Elliott entered; he exploited spaces and delivered sharp passes, including an assist to Federico Chiesa for Liverpool’s goal. Bringing Elliott on earlier might have positively influenced the game’s outcome.
3. Excessive Use of Long Balls
Facing Newcastle’s effective pressing, Liverpool resorted to long balls, aiming to leverage Mohamed Salah’s pace. However, Newcastle’s defense, especially Burn and Fabian Schar, handled these attempts with ease. This approach resulted in lost possession and limited attacking chances for Liverpool. A more patient build-up through midfield could have better countered Newcastle’s press.
4. Absence of Tactical Changes
Slot’s hesitation to make early substitutions or tactical adjustments allowed Newcastle to maintain dominance. Despite Liverpool’s first-half struggles, no changes were made at halftime. Slot later explained his belief that the starting XI could improve their performance. However, the lack of proactive changes permitted Newcastle to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses.
These tactical missteps significantly contributed to Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat, highlighting areas needing attention and improvement in future fixtures.
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