Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has opened up about his crucial opening goal in the Magpies’ 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 16. The towering 6ft 7in center-back, who powered a header past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher just before halftime, credited his success to exploiting a momentary lapse from Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, offering a candid assessment of their matchup.
Burn, a boyhood Newcastle fan who marked his 100th appearance for the club with the goal, spoke to Sky Sports after the match, describing the moment he outjumped Mac Allister to give Newcastle the lead. “I knew that Alexis wasn’t looking at the ball, so I’d be able to get a good jump on him,” Burn said. “As soon as I headed it, I knew it was in. It was just one of them.” The goal, a thumping header from a Kieran Trippier corner, sailed into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area, catching Liverpool’s defense off guard and setting the tone for Newcastle’s first domestic trophy win in 70 years.
The matchup between Burn and Mac Allister, who stands nearly a foot shorter at 5ft 9in, raised eyebrows during the game, with Liverpool’s zonal marking system leaving the diminutive midfielder tasked with tracking the imposing Newcastle defender. Burn’s assessment was blunt yet matter-of-fact, pointing to Mac Allister’s failure to track the flight of the ball as the key to his success. The goal came as part of a well-executed set-piece strategy, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe later revealing that the team had spent two weeks refining their approach to exploit such opportunities.
“I don’t get many, so at least I’ve saved it for a big occasion,” Burn added, reflecting on the rarity of his goal-scoring exploits and the significance of the moment. The 32-year-old, who joined Newcastle from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2022, has been a stalwart in the Magpies’ defense but is not typically known for his attacking contributions. His goal against Liverpool was only his second of the season, making it a memorable highlight in a week that also saw him earn a maiden call-up to the England national team under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Burn’s comments drew attention to the physical mismatch between himself and Mac Allister, a point of contention among analysts and fans. Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended his team’s defensive setup in his post-match press conference, explaining that the Reds’ zonal marking system was designed to handle such threats. “We play zonal, so we have five players zonally close to our goal, and then we have three players that man-mark, and Macca [Mac Allister] is one of them,” Slot said. “Ninety-nine out of 100 times, that will never lead to a goal. Credit to [Burn], he’s one of the few players who can score a goal from that distance with his head.”
Despite Slot’s explanation, the goal underscored Liverpool’s struggles in the air throughout the match, with Newcastle dominating duels and capitalizing on their physicality. Burn’s header was followed by Alexander Isak’s second-half strike, which doubled Newcastle’s lead before Federico Chiesa’s late consolation goal for Liverpool. The defeat marked Liverpool’s second loss in a week, following their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, and denied Slot a first trophy as Reds manager.
For Burn, the victory was a dream come true, both as a player and a lifelong Newcastle supporter. “I don’t really want to go to sleep,” he told Sky Sports, beaming with pride. “I feel like I’m dreaming, and it’s all going to be a lie.” His sentiment echoed the jubilation felt by Newcastle fans, who celebrated the end of a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.