A lifetime without a trophy – can Newcastle finally end their wait for silverware?

Newcastle United is one of the Premier League’s most historically significant clubs, but they have been stuck in a 70-year trophy drought. Their last major silverware came in 1955, when they won the FA Cup by defeating Manchester City 3-1 in front of more than 100,000 spectators at Wembley. Since then, the club has experienced numerous near-misses, including losing finals and failing to capture the league title. As of the 2024/2025 season, Newcastle’s last major success remains a distant memory.

This lack of silverware has weighed heavily on the club, and their fans are eager for change. The team has had several disappointing campaigns, including multiple cup final losses. However, under manager Eddie Howe, the club has made significant improvements, and the 2024/2025 season seems to be a turning point for the Magpies. The upcoming League Cup final, scheduled for Sunday, will be a crucial moment in their history. For many, the game is more than just a match—it’s an opportunity to break free from the club’s long-standing trophy drought.

Newcastle’s opponents in the final will be Liverpool, a team that has seen significant success in recent years. The Anfield club’s rich history, bolstered by consistent performances in the Premier League and European competitions, has made them a formidable force in English football. Despite the odds being heavily stacked against Newcastle, they will approach the game with high hopes of ending their long wait for silverware. The final will offer them a rare opportunity to lift a trophy and build on the progress made under Howe

Newcastle’s task will not be easy, as they face a Liverpool side that has enjoyed immense success under manager Jurgen Klopp in recent seasons. However, Liverpool has recently gone through a transition, with Klopp being replaced by Arne Slot, the former manager of Feyenoord. Slot, who took charge of Liverpool in the summer of 2024, has inherited a team brimming with talent, including high-profile signings like Federico Chiesa.

One of the most significant hurdles Newcastle will face in the final is Eddie Howe’s poor record against Liverpool. Since taking charge of Newcastle in 2021, Howe has faced Liverpool eight times across all competitions, with a dreadful record of zero wins. The Magpies have only managed to pick up one point in these encounters, which highlights the challenge they face in overcoming Liverpool’s strength. Howe’s struggles against Liverpool stretch further back in his managerial career. In fact, throughout his career, Howe has faced Liverpool 21 times, managing only one win and two draws, with a combined goal deficit of 35 goals.

Despite these difficulties, the League Cup final represents a unique opportunity for Howe to achieve a historic victory. If Newcastle were to triumph over Liverpool, it would not only be a significant moment for the club but also a remarkable personal achievement for Howe. A win would demonstrate his growth as a manager and his ability to turn the tide against one of the most successful teams in recent history.

As mentioned earlier, Newcastle’s last major trophy was in 1955, when they won the FA Cup. Since that time, the club has experienced a frustrating lack of success. The trophy drought is particularly notable because of the club’s historical significance in English football. Newcastle United was once one of the most successful teams in the country, with several league titles and FA Cups to their name. However, since their last FA Cup victory, the club has endured decades of near misses and disappointments.

Newcastle’s trophy drought is the longest in top-flight English football, with the club’s last major trophy win remaining a distant memory for long-time supporters. Over the years, the club has suffered heartbreak in several cup finals, but they have never been able to break the cycle of disappointment. This has led to a sense of frustration among Newcastle fans, who feel that the club is capable of more but have been unable to deliver when it matters most.

The club’s struggles are not unique, however. Other historically significant clubs, such as Southampton and Ipswich Town, have also endured long waits for major trophies. Southampton’s last major silverware came in 1976 when they won the FA Cup, and Ipswich Town’s last major trophy was in 1981. Meanwhile, clubs like West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have experienced long waits, too, with 45 years since their last major trophy win. Despite this, Newcastle’s trophy drought remains the longest among top-flight clubs, making this upcoming cup final all the more significant for their fans.

The stakes are incredibly high for both clubs heading into the final. For Newcastle, a win would be monumental, as it would not only end their long wait for silverware but also signal the start of a new era under Eddie Howe. A victory would help establish the club as a force to be reckoned with in English football and would give them a much-needed boost in confidence as they look to build on their recent successes. Moreover, a cup win would provide the club with a sense of accomplishment, demonstrating that their efforts under Howe are bearing fruit.

For Liverpool, a win would further solidify their position as one of the dominant forces in English football. While the team is undergoing a transition under new manager Arne Slot, winning the League Cup would represent a successful start to his tenure at Anfield. With Liverpool’s long-standing tradition of success, another cup win would add to their already impressive trophy collection, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most successful clubs in European football.

When it comes to market values, the difference between the two clubs is significant. According to Transfermarkt, Liverpool’s squad is valued at €967.50 million, while Newcastle’s is worth €606 million. This disparity in market value reflects the difference in the clubs’ current status and their historical success. Liverpool has spent heavily on top-tier talent, including big-money signings like Chiesa, while Newcastle’s squad is built more gradually under Howe’s leadership.

Despite this financial gap, Newcastle has shown that they can compete at the highest level, especially under Howe’s management. The club has made impressive strides in recent years, and the upcoming final represents an opportunity for them to prove that they belong among the Premier League’s elite. A win in this final would be a huge statement, indicating that Newcastle is ready to challenge the established powerhouses of English football.

As Newcastle United prepares for the League Cup final against Liverpool, the stakes are incredibly high. For the Geordies, this is more than just a match—it’s a chance to end a 70-year trophy drought and create a new legacy for the club. For Howe, it’s an opportunity to overcome his managerial struggles against Liverpool and lead the team to their first major silverware in decades. While the odds may be stacked against Newcastle, they will approach the final with determination and belief that they can achieve a historic victory.

For Liverpool, the final represents another opportunity to add to their already impressive trophy haul and further solidify their status as one of the top clubs in Europe. Despite the changes under new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool remains a formidable force, and a win in the League Cup would mark a strong start to their new era.

As the two teams prepare to face off, all eyes will be on the final, as both clubs chase the first piece of silverware of the season. It promises to be a thrilling encounter, with high stakes for both sides and a potential turning point in the histories of these two great clubs.