Liverpool Loses Carabao Cup Final 2-1 to Newcastle United

Liverpool's aspirations for a cup double were dashed after a 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, leaving manager Arne Slot and his players visibly disappointed. The defeat followed a recent exit from the UEFA Champions League, marking a challenging week for the team. Slot pointed to fatigue as a significant factor, noting the physical and mental toll from their recent fixtures, which he had identified earlier in the season but failed to address. Critics, including pundit Richard Keys, labeled Liverpool an average side, attributing their struggles to a lack of depth and effective rotation. Despite the setbacks in the cup competitions, Liverpool maintains a strong lead in the Premier League, sitting 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal. The team will look to rebound in their upcoming league match against Everton on April 2.