ARNE SLOT BLASTS VAR AFTER LIVERPOOL’S CARABAO CUP FINAL DEFEAT…

Arne Slot addresses the puzzling decision made by Liverpool that left fans confused during their Carabao Cup final defeat.

Liverpool supporters were particularly baffled by one tactical choice during the team’s loss to Newcastle at Wembley.

According to Arne Slot, the strength of Newcastle in aerial duels played a crucial role in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup final. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured Newcastle’s victory, marking their first major domestic trophy in 70 years. The Magpies dominated the aerial duels, winning 68 percent, a factor Slot highlighted as pivotal to the match’s result.

Liverpool’s shortcomings were evident just before halftime when Mac Allister failed to challenge Burn effectively. Burn gained momentum and connected with Kieran Trippier’s cross, delivering a powerful header that found the back of the net, putting Newcastle ahead at halftime.

After the break, Alexander Isak extended Newcastle’s lead with a goal shortly after a close-range attempt was disallowed for offside against captain Bruno Guimaraes.

In stoppage time, substitute Federico Chiesa managed to reduce the deficit for Liverpool with a goal that was initially ruled offside but later confirmed after a lengthy VAR review. Despite this, Newcastle maintained their lead, ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy and leaving Liverpool to face their second significant disappointment of the week, having been eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties just days earlier.

Following the lackluster performance in the final, Slot faced questions regarding the decision to have midfielder Mac Allister attempt to counter Burn’s aerial threat, especially given the notable height disparity between the two players.