Liverpool and Newcastle will meet in the Carabao Cup final next month, after both sides brushed North London opposition aside to book a place at Wembley. The Magpies have received an injury update ahead of the showdown.

Eddie Howe, much like Arne Slot, opted to rotate quite considerably for the FA Cup weekend. Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes were among the few regulars in the side as Newcastle squeezed past Birmingham City 3-2, with the help of a highly controversial goal that did not appear to have crossed the line.

But before the end of the contest, Burn had been withdrawn through injury. And Howe revealed that Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman had both been left out due to injury fears of their own, with all three being sent for scans.

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The setback for Burn might be seen as a form of vindication for Slot, who rotated every single one of his outfield players between the win over Spurs at Anfield and the long trip down to Plymouth. But Newcastle has got some good news in respect of its defender.

According to the Mail, a scan has revealed that Burn has avoided any serious injury. He is a doubt for the weekend's clash with Manchester City, but barring any further setbacks, he will be fit to contest the final against Liverpool.

And Newcastle has received similarly positive news when it comes to Botman. He too will be assessed ahead of the weekend — potentially leaving Howe very short, after he sanctioned the departure of Lloyd Kelly in January — but should be cleared to return after that.

As for Gordon, he looks set to face Manchester City. The winger, linked extensively with a move to Liverpool last summer, is having another strong campaign.

Indeed, Liverpool might be wondering whether it could have pushed harder for a transfer amid Newcastle's struggles with financial sustainability rules, given that Gordon is setting the pace ahead of the likes of Luis Diaz. Although things have not exactly panned out badly at Anfield, where Slot is competing for the Premier League and the Champions League as well as the Carabao Cup.

Gordon's summer flirtation with a move will be one of many subplots when the two sides come head to head at Wembley. Another will be the brewing transfer interest in Alexander Isak, although it's hard to see Newcastle sanctioning a deal at any price unless PSR comes into the equation again.

After all, Newcastle is backed by near-limitless wealth now, and no shortage of ambition. It might seem like a novel cup opponent for Liverpool, but it's one that Slot may well have to get used to over the course of his Anfield tenure.

At the moment, it looks as though Liverpool should be more or less at full strength when it travels down to London, looking to retain the trophy won by Jurgen Klopp in his final season. But Slot is entering an intense period of five games in 15 days before then, in what could be a season-defining month — culminating in a final that promises to be an enthralling contest.