Exclusive: "He's the one" - Lee Hendrie issues prediction involving Andy Robertson ahead of Liverpool, Newcastle EFL Cup final | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on the potential match-up between Andy Robertson and Jacob Murphy in Sunday's EFL Cup final

Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa defender Lee Hendrie is anticipating an intriguing battle between Andy Robertson and Jacob Murphy in this Sunday’s EFL Cup final, which will be played out Liverpool and Newcastle United.

The two sides are set to meet at Wembley Stadium to determine the first piece of silverware of the season, and the clash between these two players could prove a key battleground.

Arne Slot is also looking for his first honour since joining the Reds last summer, with the club looking to retain the EFL Cup after last year’s win over Chelsea.

Liverpool are on course to win the Premier League and will perhaps be even more eager to lift the EFL Cup trophy for the second season runing following their UEFA Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe is also looking to win his first trophy with the Magpies, who have not won a domestic competition since 1955.

Lee Hendrie gives verdict on Jacob Murphy v Andy Robertson EFL Cup final battle

Hendrie expects Robertson and Murphy’s tussle on Liverpool’s left side to be a key aspect of the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

It should shape up to be an intriguing battle. Despite the Reds' success, Robertson has struggled for consistent form this term while Murphy, who has registered five goals and eight assists in the Premier League, is enjoying the strongest season of his career.

Murphy, then, could be relishing the prospect of facing Robertson, should he be named in Howe's starting side.

Hendrie believes the Reds will want to bounce back strongly after their midweek Champions League elimination at home, but that the Scot will have his hands full amid his recent dip in form.

“The way Liverpool were obviously knocked out of the Champions League, the disappointment, I think there will be a bounce-back factor,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“I think Andy Robertson has probably struggled in form of late, and obviously coming up against the likes of Jacob Murphy, who’s had a great season.

“Do I think he’ll fear coming up against him? I don’t think he will.

“I think that Robertson, who is one of them, [always] at 110 per cent, whether it’s a good performance or bad, he gives his all.

“I think he’ll know he’s against a real in-form player in Jacob Murphy, and he’ll have to be on his game, as he has to be in most games playing in the Premier League.

“As we know, it’s a cup final, anything can happen.

“But he’s the one that you would feel he’d have to put on a good performance because Murphy has been outstanding for Newcastle, revitalised, he looks a different player.

“He’ll have it all to do, but I think that will be a good watch obviously down that left/right-hand side for Newcastle.”

The EFL Cup final gets underway at 4.30pm.

Arne Slot has Robertson selection headache

Robertson hasn’t been at his best this season, but Kostas Tsimikas is one of the weaker deputy options in an otherwise strong Liverpool squad.

This will give Slot a selection headache going into Sunday’s game, especially after the Scot played the full 120 minutes on Tuesday night.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Tsimikas was given the nod instead, which could give an edge to Murphy in this key battleground on the pitch.

With Anthony Gordon out, Newcastle will likely be more reliant on the 30-year-old, especially as Harvey Barnes has struggled for consistent form on the other flank when given game time this campaign.