‘Makings of a classic’ – Eddie Howe can take place as Newcastle icon against Liverpool and ‘incredible’ Arne Slot in Carabao Cup final

Liverpool vs Newcastle. Reds against Magpies. Two hugely passionate fanbases. But just one trophy up for grabs at Wembley.

Two of the country's top coaches will contest the Carabao Cup final, and talkSPORT has spoken to two club legends who expect a battle for the ages.

Reigning champions Liverpool will arrive in the midst of their Premier League title challenge, whilst 2023 runners-up Newcastle are eyeing a first trophy since 1969.

Live radio commentary will be presented by talkSPORT, who had the help of Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand to preview the match.

Redknapp and Ferdinand will be part of the Sky Sports team for the Carabao Cup Final live on Sunday from 3pm.

And legendary Newcastle striker Ferdinand had nothing but huge praise for Eddie Howe and his progress at the club since joining in 2021.

The head coach has another opportunity to end their long wait for silverware, and Magpies Hall of Famer Ferdinand believes it's a chance for him to also become iconic on Tyneside.

"When you speak about Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, you’re talking about people that are icons," the 1999 League Cup winner with Tottenham said.

"Bobby because he was a Geordie himself, and Kevin was almost the closest thing to a Geordie you could get, in terms of he really got the people. And I think Eddie’s doing that.

"Eddie’s got the people in Newcastle and they’ve got him as well. He understands how they operate and not only that, he’s bringing success to the football club in terms of progression.

"The word you used, progression, is the right word because that’s what he’s done as soon as he came through the door, the team progressed from being in the bottom three up into safety in the Premier League.

"From then on, he’s just steadily moved the club forward each year, got to the final a couple of years ago, got themselves into the Champions League."

He added: "Perhaps we would’ve thought in the past that [some players] might have left Newcastle, like the Joelinton’s of this world, and some of the other players that were there when Eddie took over.

"People thought they would have left the club by now, he’s got the best out of them. So in terms of progressing the club, yes he’s done that.

"I think the first manager to win anything at St. James’ Park will have iconic status like Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan so if he does it, for sure."

Newcastle may be underdogs but they've enjoyed a hugely successful run to the final, with two key men in Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall featuring in every match.

However, neither will play in the final due to suspension and injury respectively, and Ferdinand believes left-back Hall will be the bigger miss on Sunday.

“I think that Gordon has had an exceptional season, done things that I’m not sure everyone expected him to do. But in terms of Hall, I think up against [Mohamed] Salah would’ve been a good battle on that side.

"I think that’s a massive miss for Newcastle because I’m not sure who replaces him. [Tino] Livramento could go out that way but he’s not a natural left-back, they’ve messed about with Dan Burn playing out there a few times.

"I think that will be a bigger miss but down that left side where Hall and Gordon both operate, it’s going to be a big miss. Jamie has spoken about Harvey Barnes, who will see this as an opportunity to come into the side and perhaps cement a place for himself.

"If he can score the goals that wins them the final as well, then all of a sudden he’s got legendary status after not really doing too much this season. But for me, Hall would probably be the bigger miss, just in terms of how well he’s performed in recent weeks."

A League Cup winner with Liverpool in 1995, Redknapp may be set to watch his former side win the first of two trophies this season.

The former midfielder is clearly buzzing for the occasion as he revealed his anticipation of what could be an all-timer of a match: "I think this is a really tight game, a hard one to call.

"I think Newcastle are a really good side and they’ve proved it this year against Liverpool. I think this has got the makings of an absolute classic, because of what you would say in terms of 56 years without Newcastle winning a trophy.

"Arne Slot wants to get his first one across the line, of course there’s going to be the Premier League pretty soon as well, but an amazing season. And cup finals, anything can happen."

He added: "I can see whoever wins it, the captain [Bruno] Guimaraes or Virgil van Dijk, they’re going to be so relieved, whoever gets their hands on it.

"Because you know it’s immortality, if Newcastle do it, for all of those players having been so long. Or for Liverpool it’s just, what an amazing first season for Arne Slot. So, an unbelievable game at stake."

He later added: "I’m so looking forward to this game, I think it’s got the makings of a classic, so I hope it does go to [extra-time] so we get the full 90 minutes plus extra-time and excitement and nerves... I think it’s going to be a really good occasion.

"Sometimes it’s not even what’s actually on the pitch, it’s off the pitch, because of the fanbase as Les said earlier, they’re such big fanbases, there’s going to be nerves. It could be a mistake… It does, whatever way you look at it, transmit to the players.

"So I think it could be an edgy game and it might rest on a mistake or someone doing something really uncharacteristic, or a moment of genius, or someone obscure getting the winner. So I think this has got the makings of a really great game, I can’t wait for it."

Liverpool boss Slot has enjoyed an excellent first season, succeeding the two-time League Cup winner and club legend Jurgen Klopp.

The Dutchman is in contention of winning a double and when asked if victory on Sunday could help him match or even surpass the legacy of Klopp, Redknapp had nothing but optimism.

"Well it would go a long way… You’ve got to be careful when you say these things. Because with Jurgen Klopp he won the Champions League, the Premier League, the first time in 30-odd years. So that meant so much to Liverpool fans.

"But what he’s going to have is the luxury of doing it in front of a crowd [winning the Premier League], for Jurgen Klopp he never had that opportunity."

"He has been incredible," he added. "Throughout history you go, after [Sir Alex] Ferguson, [David] Moyes didn’t last very long, after [Arsene] Wenger, Unai Emery didn’t last very long, so it becomes very difficult to emulate these so-called football giants, they are football giants.

"But he’s just done it in such a seamless way and I thought it may be difficult, if they get top four, great season, might he even last a season, who knew?

"Nobody knows the pressure of following these guys, he’s doing it in such an easy way and the team, the way they’re playing, I think the players look extremely happy. It’s an incredible first season for him, absolutely…

"Did [Jose] Mourinho win his title in his first year? So that’s what we’re talking about, what Mourinho did in that first season, that’s the level that he’s got to very quickly, unbelievable achievement what he’s doing."

Redknapp has backed Liverpool for glory as he said: "I’m going to go for a little 2-1 Liverpool but after extra-time."

However, Ferdinand believes it's Newcastle's time to lift a trophy at Wembley: "I’m going 2-1 Newcastle."

It's a Big Weekend of sport on Sky Sports and NOW, featuring the Carabao Cup Final, Arsenal v Chelsea and Leicester City v Manchester United in the Premier League, Old Firm and Steel City derbies, Australian Grand Prix, tennis from Indian Wells, and The Players Championship, all live.