That went against usual football diplomacy, where players talk of only focusing on the next game, but that’s perhaps part of the charm. It’s also part of the strange dynamics of these occasions, that at once enrich football but can also make it so emotionally wrenching.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle in a major blow to Liverpool, Arne Slot has confirmed.The 26-year-old right-back was forced off in the

Newcastle United are in high spirits despite the absences in their squad and will look to present a unified front when they return to Wembley Stadium for the League Cup final against Liverpool, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday.