Eddie Howe leaves out nine who took Liverpool apart | OneFootball

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United took on Arne Slot and Liverpool back on 16 March 2025 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

Six months and eight days later, Eddie Howe and Newcastle United had their next Carabao Cup match, the first since Wembley.

A third round tie at St James’ Park last night.

Graham Alexander and his Bradford City team travelling to Tyneside.

Newcastle team v Bradford – 24 September 2025:

Ramsdale, Krafth, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Bruno, Joelinton, Miley, Gordon, Osula, Elanga

Newcastle team v Liverpool – 16 March 2025:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno, Barnes, Isak, Murphy

Quite incredible but only two of those who started at Wembley, also started at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe ‘leaving out’ nine of those who took Liverpool apart in the Wembley final.

That Wembley eleven and why they were missing against Bradford:

Pope – Rested

Trippier – Rested

Schar- Ruled out due to concussion protocols

Burn – Rested

Livramento – Rested

Joelinton – Played

Tonali – Rested

Bruno – Played

Barnes – Rested

Isak – Whereabouts unknown…

Murphy – Injured/rested

I think the big message out of all this is that Eddie Howe, fingers crossed regarding injuries etc, has finally been able to put a Newcastle United squad together.

After the full on Barcelona match last Thursday, Eddie Howe felt the need to make seven changes for Bournemouth on Sunday, then on Wednesday night it was another seven changes made for the Bradford game.

However, this was far from leaving seven out and then putting the same seven back in.

Of the eleven who started against Barcelona, only four of them also started against Bradford (Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon, Elanga).

Suddenly Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have options, getting close to having the kind of squad the NUFC boss has been deprived of for so long.

Really looking forward to Wissa and Ramsey getting over their injuries and Schar returning from his concussion protocol.

The days of easily naming which eleven will start any NUFC match are well and truly over.

Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Wednesday 24 September 2025 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Joelinton 17, 75 Osula 19, 87

Bradford:

Cook 79

Possession was Newcastle 77% Bradford 23%

Total shots were Newcastle 27 Bradford 6

Shots on target were Newcastle 11 Bradford 3

Corners were Newcastle 6 Bradford 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 66 Bradford 6

Newcastle team v Bradford:

Ramsdale, Krafth (Trippier 61), Thiaw, Botman (Alex Murphy 89), Hall (Livramento 61), Bruno, Joelinton, Miley, Gordon (Barnes 61), Osula, Elanga (Woltemade 69)

Subs:

Pope, Lascelles, Tonali, Willock

(Newcastle v Spurs drawn out in Carabao Cup fourth round – Newcastle United fans react – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Bradford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United fixtures (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

W/C Monday 27 October – Newcastle v Spurs