KIERAN TRIPPIER has warned Liverpool that Newcastle are far better prepared for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final than they were two years ago.
And that even extends to changing their hotel — in the hope it changes their luck.
Toon right-back Trippier says the emotion of the 2023 showpiece at Wembley was overwhelming for Eddie Howe’s squad as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United.
It was Newcastle’s first major final since 1999 and the pressure was on to deliver a first major domestic trophy since 1955, with the local players particularly feeling the heat.
Trippier, however, says the squad are much more relaxed now as they prepare to take on Arne Slot’s men.
The Magpies claimed a 1-0 win at West Ham on Monday in their last game before Sunday’s final.
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And former England defender Trippier, 34, said: “There was a lot of noise the first time in the final.
“But now the lads have experienced it, we know how to handle it. It’ll be a different feel this time. The most important thing is to stay calm, stay relaxed.
“The emotion in the first cup final got the better of us, I can’t say an individual but as a group.
“It was the first final for some of the players, playing at Wembley, the cup final for Newcastle, the fans are all excited, etc.
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“But the lads have gained that experience and are fully prepared, calm, relaxed for this final.
“I’m not picking anybody out — but if you look at the Geordie lads in our team, for example, it means so much to them, because they’re from Newcastle.
“Family and friends, everyone’s buzzing because it’s the first final in so many years.
“So the emotion was very, very high for a large part before the final.
“But this time around it’s more calm, more relaxed — and that’s from the supporters as well.
“But all we can do is just give everything in that final.”
Newcastle have made logistical changes too, moving away from the Hilton hotel that is right next door to Wembley.
The Hilton is so close to the stadium it leaves players trapped inside on the morning of the game.
Trippier added: “Staying at the Hilton was too close, shall we say. It’s about learning. The club learned a lot from the first time around.
The emotion in the first cup final got the better of us, I can’t say an individual but as a group.
Kieran Trippier
“A lot more things are well organised this time. I’m not saying it was bad last time but we’re more prepared because we’ve been in this position now.
“We played United in the last cup final and we’re more relaxed.
“Now we’ve just got to review this game and look forward to another special occasion at the weekend against Liverpool.”
After back-to-back defeats — in the Prem by Liverpool and Brighton in the FA Cup — as well as losing forward Anthony Gordon to suspension plus defenders Sven Botman and Lewis Hall to injury, Newcastle still saw off the Hammers to go into the final on a high.
Bruno Guimaraes converted Harvey Barnes’ 63rd-minute cross to seal three points and take Toon back into the Premier League’s top six.
They are now just two points off the top four in the race for the Champions League places, which has proved to be a tough balancing act alongside their run to the Carabao Cup final.
Boss Howe and his players know they will have to perform much better than they did at the London Stadium if they are to make history against Liverpool on Sunday.
Trippier added: “We know how close it is at the top of the table, so it was a big win, especially before the final.
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“You want to win any game before a cup final, you don’t want to go in on the back of a defeat.
“But we know we can improve and we’ve got to show that same character on the weekend.”
