The football world is buzzing after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola weighed in on Liverpool’s shocking 1-2 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. While Newcastle celebrated their hard-fought victory, Guardiola didn’t hold back in his analysis of Arne Slot’s tactical mistakes, questioning some of the Dutch manager’s biggest decisions on the night.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Guardiola delivered a brutally honest verdict, stating that Slot’s team selection cost Liverpool the trophy.
“He got it completely wrong! You don’t bench your deadliest weapon and expect to win. He should have started—he’s a different beast from the first whistle, not some impact sub. And leaving out my most reliable star against Newcastle? That was Arne Slot’s biggest blunder. If it were me, Newcastle wouldn’t have walked away with that win. But no hard feelings—this loss is a tough lesson he needed to learn.”
WHO WAS LIVERPOOL’S ‘DEADLIEST WEAPON’ GUARDIOLA WAS REFERRING TO?
Although Guardiola didn’t name names directly, many believe he was talking about Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s biggest goal threat. The Egyptian forward was shockingly left on the bench, with Slot opting for a different attacking setup. When Salah eventually came on, it was too late to change the outcome of the match.
Fans and pundits alike have been questioning why Slot didn’t start his strongest team in a final, especially with a player like Salah known for making an instant impact from the first whistle. Guardiola’s analysis has now fueled the debate even further.
NEWCASTLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SLOT’S MISTAKES
Newcastle, to their credit, capitalized on Liverpool’s errors, executing their game plan perfectly. Alexander Isak’s goal and a solid defensive performance ensured that Eddie Howe’s men lifted the trophy, leaving Liverpool to regret their decisions.
Guardiola’s comments have struck a chord with Liverpool fans, many of whom believe that the game could have had a different outcome if Slot had started his best players from the beginning.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS: “THIS IS A COACH!”
As soon as Guardiola’s comments surfaced, fans took to social media, with many Liverpool supporters praising his tactical analysis and lamenting Slot’s decision-making.
“This is a coach now🥹 just look at his analysis. We would have won that game with him 💔🙀😱.”
While Guardiola may have no direct stake in Liverpool’s success, his words carry weight, and they serve as a warning for Arne Slot moving forward—you don’t hold back your best players in a final and expect to get away with it.
WILL SLOT LEARN FROM THIS?
With Liverpool still competing in multiple competitions, all eyes will be on how Arne Slot responds to this setback. Will he take Guardiola’s words as constructive criticism and ensure his best players start in big games moving forward? Or will this loss prove to be a wake-up call that Liverpool can’t afford questionable selections at crucial moments?
One thing is certain—this Carabao Cup final will be remembered not just for Newcastle’s victory, but for the controversial choices that cost Liverpool the trophy.
