Liverpool vs. Newcastle confirmed lineups: Konate, Alisson, Isak, Barnes decisions made for EFL Cup final

Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate is fit to start for Liverpool in this afternoon's EFL Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium.

Konate was forced off with a minor injury prior to the Reds losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, and although the Frenchman had emerged as a doubt, he will start in central defence alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.

However, Arne Slot has made two changes to the Liverpool side that began in midweek, with the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold being replaced by Jarell Quansah at right-back, while Caoimhin Kelleher will start between the sticks ahead of Alisson Becker.

While Andrew Robertson continues at left-back, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have all retained their places in centre-midfield.

Mohamed Salah, who has been directly involved in 18 goals in 16 games against Newcastle for Liverpool in all competitions (10 goals, eight assists), is joined in a three-man attack by Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, with Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliot and Federico Chiesa all attacking options on the substitutes' bench.

© Imago

Isak, Barnes start as Howe named unchanged Newcastle XI

As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe has named the same starting lineup that began the Magpies' 1-0 win at West Ham United in the Premier League last Monday.

In the absence of injured defensive duo Lewis Hall and Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn - fresh from his first England call-up - and Valentino Livramento will all line up in the back four, protecting goalkeeper Nick Pope, who has been preferred over Martin Dubravka.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is hoping to lift Newcastle's first major domestic trophy for 70 years, will link arms with Sandro Tonali and Joelinton in centre-midfield, while Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock will all begin as substitutes.

Former Everton winger Anthony Gordon is suspended, so Harvey Barnes will start on the left flank as Jacob Murphy continues on the right and top scorer Alexander Isak is fit to lead the line for the Magpies.

Liverpool starting lineup: Kelleher; Quansah, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz

Subs: Alisson, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, McConnell

Newcastle United starting lineup: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Targett, Longstaff, Miley, Willock, Wilson, Osula, Neave