What classy Arne Slot did moments before Newcastle lifted Carabao Cup trophy

Liverpool’s League Cup defence ended in disappointment at the final hurdle as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United. Federico Chiesa scored a stoppage-time consolation for the Reds, but it wasn’t enough as the Magpies won their first domestic trophy for 70 years.

Eddie Howe’s side were deserved winners against a below-par Liverpool as Arne Slot’s men endured a week to forget, following up their Champions League round-of-16 exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain with defeat at Wembley.

The Reds’ players were inevitably downbeat following the final whistle as they missed out on the chance to win a record 11th League Cup for Liverpool. But that did not stop them from congratulating their opponents following the loss.

After receiving his loser’s medal, head coach Slot stood at the front on the pitch to shake hands with each Newcastle player as they went up to collect the trophy in a classy act from the Dutchman.

Meanwhile, the likes of Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson also went around the Newcastle squad to congratulate them on their win after collecting their own medals.

Liverpool now face a two-and-a-half week break without a match before returning to action at home to Everton in the Merseyside derby on April 2.

They sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with nine games left to play, after Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 earlier in the day in their game-in-hand to close the gap on the Reds.

Liverpool remain the favourites to win the league, but Slot will have to pick his side up after a disappointing week and back-to-back losses which saw their hopes of multiple honours this season shattered.