### Newcastle United Stun Liverpool to Win Carabao Cup Final
Liverpool endured a surprising 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s team displayed remarkable determination and tactical discipline, securing the trophy with goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.
It was a frustrating first final for Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, who struggled to find solutions to Newcastle’s well-structured approach. Federico Chiesa managed to get on the scoresheet for Liverpool, but his goal proved to be only a consolation as the Premier League leaders failed to stage a comeback.
Liverpool’s usually potent attack, featuring Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez, failed to pose a significant threat to Newcastle’s resolute defense. Salah, in particular, struggled to make an impact, continuing a dip in form following an underwhelming display against Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week.
### Jamie Carragher Urges Liverpool to Strengthen Their Attack
Following Liverpool’s disappointing performance, former club legend and pundit Jamie Carragher strongly criticized the team’s lack of attacking firepower. Speaking to *Sky Sports*, as cited by *Metro*, Carragher described the display as one of Liverpool’s worst in a cup final and emphasized the urgent need for reinforcements in the attacking department.
“Liverpool have been fantastic this season, but this defeat has exposed key weaknesses that need to be addressed. The lack of pace and cutting edge in the forward line is clear, and I feel for Salah—he isn’t getting enough support from the other attackers,” Carragher remarked.
While acknowledging that Liverpool’s current forwards are talented, he insisted they are not at the elite level required to consistently complement Salah.
“They are good players, but they’re not great. Liverpool need to bring in two top-class attackers this summer to play alongside Salah. This past week has shown exactly where the squad must improve. It’s exciting because they are still favorites to win the league, but there is a lot of room for growth,” he added.
### Liverpool’s Dependence on Salah Becomes a Concern
Carragher’s comments highlight a growing issue for Liverpool—their over-reliance on Mohamed Salah. Whenever the Egyptian winger is off his game, the team struggles to find a dependable alternative who can step up in crucial moments. While Salah has been Liverpool’s standout performer this season, the burden of carrying the attacking responsibilities alone is unsustainable.
If Liverpool are to maintain their dominance and compete on multiple fronts, investing in additional attacking options will be crucial. Their lack of depth and cutting edge in the final third was evident in the Carabao Cup final loss, reinforcing the need for reinforcements in the summer transfer window. Strengthening their forward line will not only ease the pressure on Salah but also provide the squad with the firepower necessary to continue competing at the highest level.
