On Sunday afternoon, one team will have a chance to end one of English football’s great droughts, to enshrine themselves in the folklore of a city, to ensure that they will never have to pay for a drink in their town ever again. As for the other side, it certainly would provide a nice ending on a week that has been so bruising otherwise.

It is not that the EFL Cup does not matter for Liverpool, or even that the outcome of the final cannot change the tone of their season. Yet, its importance to the Premier League champions in waiting is nothing compared to Newcastle United, who are eager to end their wait for major silverware before it becomes a significant burden. Somewhere in Tyneside, there is presumably someone born on June 11, 1969, the date when the Magpies won their last major silverware, the now-defunct Inter-City Fairs Cup. It would be satisfying to add to the trophy cabinet before that individual reaches the state pension age.

There have been missed opportunities since then – the 1974 FA Cup Final against this Sunday’s opponent, and a run through the Europa League in 2012-13 that promised so much – but only the great entertainers built by Kevin Keegan and continued by Kenny Dalglish in the mid-1990s have appeared as well positioned as this team to break the curse.

Eddie Howe’s squad, backed by the transformative wealth of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is crafted to confront the best in the league. They demonstrated their capability in a semifinal against Arsenal, illustrating their trust in star forward Alexander Isak to clinch victory in crucial moments. Newcastle’s journey to Wembley was arduous, defeating teams like Chelsea and Brentford, ultimately commanding the Arsenal semifinal in emphatic fashion. This resilience seems suited to the team’s character.

The strategic acumen of their technically skilled midfield allows them to navigate high-stakes scenarios where top teams may falter. They also possess the speed needed to exploit spaces created by Anthony Gordon (who will miss the final due to suspension), Jacob Murphy, and Isak against a high defensive line.

While they will miss Gordon’s dynamism, they still possess the quality to emerge victorious on Sunday – any team featuring Isak and Bruno Guimaraes has a real chance in a one-off match. However, concerns linger around their temperament. In 2023, Newcastle faced tough luck against Manchester United during a difficult patch for the club, compounded by injuries that forced them to rely on third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Howe acknowledged that the atmosphere in the camp seems “very different” than it was before the last final, focusing on a calmer, more professional mindset. The Carabao Cup’s true importance diverges for Liverpool and Newcastle. For the latter, it’s a chance to boost morale and create a legacy. For Liverpool, it is another step along their dominant path toward glory, potentially securing their place in football history.