"When we see the chairman celebrating with the trophy, it is very difficult to separate the success of the club from the ownership." John Hird, a founder of Newcastle supporters group NUFCFAS, also reflected on the Magpies' EFL Cup victory with his own personal statement.

Of course, it is impossible to completely escape a city’s feelings and expectations, especially when the club’s all-time leading scorer, Alan Shearer, texts the club captain, Bruno Guimaraes, on the eve of the game. His message was not one spewing emotion, but a clinical instruction: “Bring that trophy back.”

The Magpies did not turn up against Manchester United two years ago but Newcastle United can hurt Liverpool if they put their mind to it