Liverpool supporters will be raging with PGMOL announcement before Newcastle United final

Tyneside will come to a standstill when the Magpies travel to the capital on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s men are aiming to end a 70-year wait without domestic silverware - and a rotten run at Wembley.

Newcastle have lost nine games in a row at the national stadium - a record. The best team in England must be put to the sword if they are to avoid reaching double figures.

Liverpool have all but won the Premier League, sitting a staggering 15 points above second-placed Arsenal. Attention turned to the Champions League on Tuesday but, against the odds, they were stunned by Paris Saint-German.

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The Reds boasted a 1-0 aggregate scoreline going into the second leg but PSG overturned the result in regulation time before knocking Arne Slot’s side out on penalties. A despondent Liverpool squad were visibly emotional at the full-time whistle - 24 hours after Newcastle celebrated a win against West Ham United.

While the Reds remain favourites, the result gave Newcastle a much-needed boost ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Howe can also take solace in knowing Brooks has been chosen to referee the game.

The official has overseen two Toon wins - both against Arsenal - this season. He was drafted as a late replacement for Craig Pawson in the semi-final first leg at the Emirates earlier this year.

Interestingly, Brooks also took charge of Newcastle’s 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool last season. The game is best remembered for Darwin Nunez’s late double which crushed Toon hearts but Virgil van Dijk was also sent off that day.

Newcastle fans felt aggrieved when Brooks opted against giving Trent Alexander-Arnold a second yellow for a push earlier in the game. As for the final, he will be assisted by Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh (linesmen), Darren England (fourth official) and Stuart Atwell (VAR).

Newcastle United officially announce John Brooks as Carabao Cup final referee

A club statement also confirmed the 35-year-old’s appointment as referee. Newcastle’s website read: “John Brooks will be the referee for Newcastle United's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 4.30pm GMT).

“Eddie Howe's side take on the Carabao Cup holders at Wembley Stadium, aiming to win their first major piece of silverware since 1969, and this will be the third time Brooks has officiated a fixture involving the Magpies this term.

“The Leicestershire whistler was the man in the middle for United's 1-0 win against Arsenal in November 2024 and handed out eight yellow cards during the Premier League clash at St. James' Park, booking Magpies quartet Nick Pope, Fabian Schär, Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali.

“Promoted to the Select Group 1 of Referees in 2021, Brooks also took charge of Newcastle's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory against Arsenal in January and booked four players that night at the Emirates Stadium, including Tino Livramento, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.”

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