Why fans are targeting one Liverpool player after Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle

‎Newcastle United secured a historic 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, ending a 70-year wait for domestic silverware. The Magpies claimed their first trophy since 1955 in a dramatic Carabao Cup final at Wembley, thanks to a brilliant performance from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak.

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‎'Mo Salah.'

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‎Burn, a lifelong Newcastle supporter, opened the scoring just before halftime with a powerful header from a corner. Early in the second half, Isak doubled the Magpies’ lead with a composed finish from a Jacob Murphy assist, moments after a disallowed goal due to offside.

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‎Liverpool, coming off a midweek Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, struggled to find their rhythm. Although Federico Chiesa scored a late goal for the Reds, VAR confirmed he was onside, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Despite some late pressure, Newcastle’s resilience saw them through for a well-deserved victory.

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‎One of the key talking points after the match was the performance of Mohamed Salah. Despite his reputation as a Ballon d’Or contender, Salah failed to make an impact in the final, leading to widespread criticism from fans. Many pointed out that Salah has only scored once in a final for Liverpool— a penalty against Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League.

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‎A post on X (formerly Twitter) read: “Mohamed Salah and Finals. We need to have a conversation.” Others added: “Dan Burn has more NPG in finals than Mo Salah” and “Another big game, and Salah hasn’t done a single thing.” Several fans also questioned his status among football’s greats, with one commenting, “The last week has summed up why Mo Salah can’t be in Ballon d'Or conversations.”

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‎The victory also secured Newcastle’s place in next season’s European competitions. The Carabao Cup win guarantees them a spot in the Conference League, although if they qualify for the Europa League or Champions League through their Premier League finish, the Conference League spot will be passed to the team finishing seventh or eighth.

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‎For now, Newcastle fans are celebrating a long-awaited triumph, while Liverpool’s struggles in crucial moments continue to be a point of debate, particularly regarding Salah’s role in finals.