EFL Cup final & Premier League weekend build-up: Manager news conferences & team news – BBC.com

Premier League and EFL Cup final build-up
EFL Cup final: Newcastle v Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 GMT)
Alexander-Arnold out of final & Konate expected to train | Hall, Botman and Gordon out for Newcastle
Manager news conferences including Slot, Howe, Guardiola & Arteta
Women's League Cup final: Chelsea v Man City on Saturday (12:15)
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Harry Poole, Ben Ramsdale, Holly Bacon, Sarah Rendell and Karan Vinod. Edited by Murray Burnell.
Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)
Manchester City
One positive of Manchester City's early Champions League exit – if there can be one – is that pep Guardiola's side have had the luxury of a full week to focus on training.
But Guardiola doesn't think that makes much difference, based on last weekend's result.
"We had it last week against Nottingham Forest and we didn’t win," Guardiola said.
"We have to prove we can do it without playing every couple of days."
Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)
Manchester City
It is another significant game for Manchester City this weekend as Pep Guardiola's side look to keep hold of a Champions League place.
But that won't be easy against a Brighton side with six consecutive wins in their last six games in all competitions to climb into contention.
"Brighton are one of the best clubs in terms of work on and off the pitch. Exceptional young manager, who is doing incredible things," Guardiola said of Brighton.
"It’s not a surprise because they are doing really well in the market and in the way they play.
"It’s not a secret. In the table, they deserve to be there."
Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)
Manchester City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been discussing his side's situation, after they appeared to show signs of improvement before losing to Nottingham Forest last time out.
"We have to reach the highest possible level to qualify for Europe next season. We have to be consistent as possible," Guardiola said.
"There are 10 games left, six at home and four away. They are tough games at home and we have to do better because there are many teams with the same target as us.
"We are not like we were. When we don’t win it’s fine because I like to deserve to win and for success and last week [against Nottingham Forest] we didn’t deserve it."
Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)
Let's get stuck into the weekend's Premier League action, shall we?
Manchester City have a fight on their hands to secure Champions League football next season after losing to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Pep Guardiola's side begin the weekend in fifth – which is expected to provide the final Champions league spot in the Premier League this campaign – before facing seventh-place Brighton, who are just a point behind them.
That really is a big one in the battle for European football, as is Sunday's showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Chelsea v Man City (Sat, 12:15 GMT)
When Chelsea face Manchester City in the Women's League Cup final on Saturday, it will be the start of a 12-day battle, with the sides playing each other four times in a row.
They will go head-to-head in three competitions.
The season's first piece of silverware will be won at Derby's Pride Park (12:15 GMT kick-off), before a two-legged quarter-final showdown in the Women's Champions League, with a league meeting sandwiched in between.
Chelsea are used to playing against City for silverware, having faced them in both domestic cup finals in 2022. They have been rivals in the Women's Super League too with Chelsea pipping City to the title last season on goal difference.
Chelsea v Man City (Saturday, 12:15 GMT)
The Women's League Cup final will take place on Saturday and it will see two of English football's greatest rivals battle it out.
Chelsea and Manchester City have been in some incredible matches against one another in recent seasons and tomorrow promises to be no different.
City will be hoping the new manager bounce aids them. Boss Gareth Taylor was sacked earlier this week with former manager Nick Cushing taking interim charge.
And Chelsea have added motivation as they still remain unbeaten across all competitions so far this season. They have won all but two games and those two draws came against Leicester and Brighton in the Women's Super League.
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Newcastle United
Also speaking to the media this morning, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes was asked what his message to the fans was before the final: "It is a good opportunity. We feel the same as them, we just want to make the fans happy.
"We know football sometimes can affect you in every way but my message is to stay positive. We are going to do our best to get this trophy back to the city."
And on how the team has changed from two years ago when they were last in the League Cup final: "I feel we have more confidence. When we have made a final before, we knew have more experience. We have changed some players but the base is still there. We are in our best moment.
"Hopefully we can go there and play our best football because on our best day I think we are really a great team."
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Newcastle United and Liverpool have had contrasting fortunes at Wembley. One side has been immensely successful, and the other not so much.
The Magpies have lost five major domestic cup finals (2x league cup and 3x FA Cup) since they last won a major domestic trophy in 1955 against Manchester City.
Conversely, the Red have enjoyed a lot of success at Wembley as they are participating in their 15th League Cup final, winning 10 and losing on four occasions.
Liverpool v Newcastle (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Newcastle United
Two years ago, Newcastle fell agonisingly short in their bid to end the club's wait for a trophy, losing 2-0 to Manchester United at Wembley.
On how he is feeling before this final, Eddie Howe said: "I am feeling very good thanks. I think it does feel different [from two years ago].
"I think the whole thing this season has felt different in the sense that I think we have gone about our business in a really calm, controlled way.
"We have had a really tough run of fixtures in the Carabao Cup. I think to attack those games in the way that we did and in the midst of a busy campaign with Premier League, FA Cup, we have gone from round to round. Now we have ended up in the final.
"There has been a lot less emotion, a lot less noise outside of in here. Hopefully that helps us in the performance of the game."
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Newcastle United
There had been some concern over Alexander Isak's availability in recent weeks, but the Newcastle striker has dismissed any fears surrounding his fitness.
"I feel good. It's probably been put out a bit more dramatic than it has been. I haven't been injured, I've just had a little bit of tightness which can be normal when you play a lot of games. But I feel good and I am really excited for the game," Isak told the media.
On what his training has been like: "I think the best way to prepare is to train as normal, be a part of the team and just train every day like you are fully fit which I am."
And on if Liverpool being knocked out of the Champions League will affect the Reds: "I think every game will affect you in some way but we can't know or speculate too much about whether it is going to be positive or negative. I think it will come down to what we do as a team, that is what we have to focus on and that is what will be the difference."
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Newcastle United
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe gave an update on his team news, with Lewis Hall and Sven Botman already ruled out with injuries.
"Lewis Hall and Sven Botman are recovering after their operations, Anthony [Gordon] is suspended, but apart from that we hope to have the full squad.”
On Dan Burn not being able to celebrate as he usually would if Newcatle do win on Sunday, given he is now heading to the England camp, How added: "This is separate from a cup final, this is just a great moment for Dan and for Newcastle.
"The cup final is of course all we are thinking about right now."
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe's Newcastle are hoping to go one better than their Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United two years ago.
It has been 56 years since Newcastle won a major trophy – and they could hardly be facing tougher opposition as they seek to end that wait on Sunday, against runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was also asked about the reaction to the defeat to the midweek Champions League defeat to Paris St-Germain and, in particular, about Darwin Nunez's saved penalty.
"He missed and that's not what you want but I don't want to make anything more out of it than just missing a penalty," said Slot.
Curtis Jones was the other Liverpool player whose penalty was saved as PSG progressed through to the quarterfinals of Europe's premier club competition.
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was also asked about Virgil Van Dijk's contact situation.
Unsurprisingly, the Reds boss is keen to keep the Dutch centre-back.
"The only thing I know is that I want Virgil to be here next season and all the rest is talks about contract – that's not what I do over here," Slot said.
It's not just Van Dijk's contract that expires this summer, of course, with the future of both Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold also uncertain despite time running out to strike a deal.
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Liverpool
The headline team news from Liverpool's perspective is that Trent Alexander-Arnold will definitely miss the cup final because of injury.
"Trent is indeed not available but he is still to be assessed for how long its going to take. But we do expect him back before the end of the season," Slot said.
The Reds manager also spoke about the availability of Ibrahim Konate for the showpiece event in Wembley. Slot said: "I expect him to train with us today but let's see how he is."
Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)
Also on Sunday, the first piece of domestic silverware is on the line when Liverpool meet Newcastle United at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
And that is where we will begin, with both Arne Slot and Eddie Howe speaking to the media this morning.
Here's what's coming up in the Premier League this weekend (all times GMT unless stated):
Saturday
Sunday
Yes, over here!
You know what they say. When one live text closes, another one opens.
After a busy, England-focused start to Friday following Thomas Tuchel's first squad announcement, we're starting afresh with a dedicated page hoovering up all today's Premier League manager news conferences.
We will be hearing from several managers before their games this weekend – including the Carabao Cup final.
Some bosses have already been speaking, so let's get stuck in.
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