Liverpool head coach Arne Slot dismissed the idea Newcastle United's players were "hungrier" in Sunday's Carabao Cup final, but admitted Eddie Howe's side were deserved winners.
The Premier League leaders were beaten 2-1 in the showpiece fixture at Wembley, with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak finding the back of the net for Newcastle before substitute Federico Chiesa halved the deficit in stoppage time.
Howe's side survived that late scare to deliver Newcastle's first domestic trophy in 70 years, however Slot does not believe that prospect gave his opponents more motivation.