The 2024/25 Carabao Cup final is finally here, and it's about bloody time we get to see some silverware handed out in this godforsaken season. It's been a long, hard slog, but we've made it to the end, and now it's time for the real football to begin.
The showdown at Wembley
This weekend, we'll see Liverpool take on Newcastle United in what promises to be a proper battle royale. Arne Slot and Eddie Howe will be going head-to-head, and you can bet your arse they'll both be giving it their all. The Reds are the current holders, having beaten Chelsea 1-0 in last year's final, but they were without a lot of their top players. This time, they'll be looking to get Slot his first trophy at Anfield, even if they look almost certain to win the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Newcastle haven't won anything domestically for 70 years, and the people of Tyneside are absolutely gagging for a trophy. The Magpies lost 2-0 to Manchester United at this stage two years ago, but they'll have learned from that experience, and they'll be coming out swinging.
The prize money
Now, let's talk about the prize money. The pot for the Carabao Cup is a bloody joke compared to other competitions. Whoever lifts the trophy on Sunday will pocket a measly £100,000, which isn't even a third of Mo Salah's reported weekly wage. The runner-up walks away with £50,000, which is barely enough to buy a round of drinks for the lads. If you compare this prize money with that of other tournaments, then you can see why some clubs don't prioritise it. For example, every Premier League team earned at least £100 million last year. However, it's still a trophy at the end of the day, and winning it would mean a lot to fans, players, and staff.
The coverage
The 2024/25 Carabao Cup final is set to take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 16, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm. The game will be broadcast live on TV on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, as well as free-to-air ITV1 and on ITV X. For those who can't be arsed to watch it on the telly, there will also be live coverage presented by Adrian Durham on the radio, with commentary from Sam Matterface, former England striker Darren Bent, and former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark. In addition, there will be a live blog to cover all of the best action and reaction from Wembley.
So, there you have it. The stage is set for an epic showdown between two of the biggest clubs in the country. It's going to be a proper battle, and I for one can't bloody wait. FOOTBALL IS LIFE, and this is what it's all about. Let's hope the lads give us a proper show and leave it all out on the pitch. May the best team win, and may the rest of them piss off and cry into their beer. Come on, you Reds!
