Takeaways From The 2025 League Cup Final
“I don’t really want to go to sleep, I feel like I’m dreaming. As soon as I headed it, I knew it was in. It was just one of them.”
Those were the words of Newcastle United defender Dan Burn after he won Man of the Match in the 2025 League Cup final. A Geordie boy born and bred, Burn, now part of Thomas Tuchel’s England set up, was one of the first arrivals in the North East when the Magpies were taken over by a Saudi consortium in order to restore them to their glory days – the 70-year wait for a domestic trophy is over.
Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley in a match that shocked everyone. The free bet markets all but had Arne Slot winning his first piece of silverware, with the defending champion’s names looking to be reengraved, but the Toon Army had other ideas.
Burn’s thunderous header before half-time gave the Magpies a deserved lead, before Alexander Isak doubled their advantage with a clinical finish early in the second half. Howe’s side controlled proceedings throughout, with Federico Chiesa’s late consolation goal for Liverpool doing little to threaten their triumph.
The victory marks Newcastle’s first major trophy since their FA Cup win in 1955 and represents a significant milestone for the club’s Saudi owners.
There is plenty to discuss as we delve into the final weeks of the season from the perspective of both sides – here are the key talking points.
Isak is the real deal
Isak’s clinical finish for Newcastle’s second goal underlined why he’s now considered among the Premier League’s most lethal forwards. The Swedish international’s composure in the biggest moments continues to set him apart, with his goal against Liverpool demonstrating both technical excellence and big-game temperament.
Since arriving from Real Sociedad, Isak has elevated his game to new heights under Howe’s guidance, combining blistering pace with intelligent movement and ruthless finishing. His ability to lead the line while also dropping deep to link play makes him the complete modern striker.
He’s a player Liverpool themselves admire and while he has been linked with both them and Arsenal, it could take a club the size of Real Madrid or Barcelona to now pry him from Tyneside.
Slot’s side show signs of fatigue
Liverpool’s lacklustre performance raised serious questions about their physical condition following their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain just days earlier. The Reds looked a shadow of the energetic, pressing machine that has dominated most opponents this season, with several key players appearing to run on empty at Wembley.
Slot’s men struggled to match Newcastle’s intensity throughout, with the midfield particularly overrun as Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton dominated the central areas. The quick turnaround from their European disappointment clearly took its toll, with Liverpool unable to sustain their usual pressing game or create meaningful chances until Chiesa’s late consolation.
The defeat highlights the challenges of competing on multiple fronts with a squad that, while talented, perhaps lacks the depth needed for sustained success across all competitions.
For Liverpool, this defeat must be quickly consigned to history as they focus on securing the Premier League title – a prize that would represent an outstanding achievement in Slot’s first season. However, the spectre of last year’s late-season fatigue that ultimately cost Jürgen Klopp the title looms large over Anfield.
The Reds’ visible tiredness at Wembley raises concerns about whether history might repeat itself, with the squad showing similar signs of wear that derailed their quadruple hopes under Klopp. Managing player workloads will be crucial over the coming weeks. They simply must get the job done.
Newcastle dynasty in the making?
The first taste of silverware could prove the foundation stone for a new era of success at St. James’ Park. After decades of disappointment and near-misses, Newcastle have finally delivered tangible success, potentially opening the floodgates for a club with enormous financial backing and growing on-field momentum.
The Saudi ownership means financial muscle won’t be an issue, but perhaps more importantly, Howe has created a playing identity and team spirit that money alone cannot buy. If Newcastle can secure a top-four finish alongside this trophy, they’ll have the platform and pulling power to attract elite talent and build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts.
