It’s party time! Thousands of Newcastle fans take over Covent Garden ahead of Carabao Cup final with Liverpool
- Thousands of Newcastle United fans took over Covent Garden on Saturday
- The Magpies face Liverpool in the EFL Cup final on Sunday at Wembley Stadium
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why the League Cup final is Newcastle’s to lose
Newcastle fans travelled en masse to storm the capital ahead of their side’s EFL Cup final clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
The match is set to kick off at 16:30 (GMT) at Wembley Stadium, with 32,000 Newcastle fans expected to make the journey south.
The Magpies are hoping to end their 70-year trophy drought against Arne Slot’s imperious Reds, who will undoubtedly have had the wind taken out of them after being bounced out of the Champions League by PSG in the midweek.
This is Newcastle’s second chance in three years to win the EFL Cup under Eddie Howe, after suffering a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in 2023’s final.
On the night before that game, the Toon took to Trafalgar Square to make their presence felt in London with a massive turnout. No one was seriously harmed, and the greatest damage from these chaotic scenes was a large amount of litter, which many fans helped clean up the following morning.
Nevertheless, the Metropolitan Police have still warned that while they wish for everyone to enjoy themselves this weekend, supporters should not ‘cross the line’.
Newcastle fans took over Covent Garden ahead of their EFL Cup final clash against Liverpool
The game will kick-off on Sunday at 16:30 (GMT) with 32,000 Newcastle fans making the trip
It is Eddie Howe’s second chance in three years to bring EFL Cup glory back to Tyneside after Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in the 2023 final
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘We want fans visiting London this weekend to have a great time.
‘There is lots of useful advice on the Wembley Stadium website which we’d encourage everyone to read.
‘In past years, fans from visiting teams have used Trafalgar Square as a gathering point on Saturdays ahead of a Sunday match.
‘That won’t be possible this weekend as the square will be closed to prepare for an upcoming event. Fans are advised to make alternative arrangements and to do so in advance.
‘While we know many fans will be planning to have a drink and enjoy themselves, it’s in everyone’s interest that it doesn’t cross the line from celebration into antisocial or disorderly behaviour.
‘Officers will intervene swiftly if it does.’
Scotland Yard added: ‘We will have officers deployed both in central London and around Wembley Stadium throughout the weekend to provide a reassuring presence and to respond to any incidents.
‘Any fans with concerns shouldn’t hesitate to speak to them.’
Sunday’s game could end with Arne Slot winning his first trophy since taking the Liverpool job
Anthony Gordon will miss the final as he is serving a ban following a red card against Brighton
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be missing for Liverpool due to an injury he sustained against PSG
Liverpool won the EFL Cup last season but will be looking for their first trophy of the Arne Slot era.
The Reds will start as clear favourites, despite missing star right back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Newcastle have availability issues of their own. Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles will all miss the final with various injury issues, while former Liverpool youth player Anthony Gordon is suspended.
Liverpool have dominated their head-to-head record against Newcastle, with the latter having last tasted victory over the Reds in December 2015.
