James McConnell is hoping to spoil his friends’ Wembley day out as he aims to win another Carabao Cup with Liverpool.
The midfielder was part of the Reds’ cherished victory over Chelsea in last year’s final. Amid an injury crisis, McConnell was one of a number of youngsters who then-manager Jurgen Klopp turned to from the substitutes’ bench. He was highly impressive along with fellow rookies Jayden Danns and Bobby Clarke as Virgil van Dijk’s last-gasp extra-time header won Liverpool the silverware.
McConnell is set to get his taste of Wembley for a second time. Injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton mean a berth on the bench is likely for the 20-year-old. And the Reds face McConnell’s boyhood club Newcastle United in Sunday’s showpiece. He is a born-and-raised Geordie but came through Sunderland’s youth ranks before moving to Anfield aged 15.
It means many of his friends will be heading to the capital dreaming that the Magpies can end their 70-year trophy drought. But McConnell’s immediate family will be cheering on Liverpool – and he is relishing potentially playing his part again.
