NEWCASTLE look set to turn to forgotten man Loris Karius in the Carabao Cup final next Sunday after starter Nick Pope was shown a red card against Liverpool.
The Toon play Manchester United at Wembley next weekend and all was looking rosey heading into the cup final with main man Bruno Guimaraes returning from a three-game suspension just in time.
But Eddie Howe’s men were dealt a MASSIVE blow as starting keeper Pope was shown a straight red card in Saturday’s clash with Liverpool.
With the Reds already 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, Pope was then sent off for handling the ball well outside his penalty area.
Trying to head the ball, the England international got it all wrong and handled the ball instead.
His intervention stopped a potential third Liverpool goal being scored by Mo Salah and saw him dismissed with no complaints.
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But with Pope now suspended for the final, Toon fans quickly turned their attention to who will fill in at Wembley and realised they’d be relying on forgotten man Karius.
That’s because regular backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who came on after Pope was sent off, is cup tied having played for Man Utd in the Carabao Cup earlier this season before being recalled from his loan.
Another option might have been Karl Darlow, but he was loaned to Hull in January.
Karius is yet to play for the Magpies this season, and hasn’t played a competitive game since February 2021 – a staggering gap of TWO YEARS.
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His last game for an English club was his famously calamitous performance in the 2018 Champions League final for Liverpool – after which he never played for the club again.
One fan said on Twitter: “Karius is going to be Newcastle’s goalkeeper for the final I’m crying.”
Another tweeted: “If Pope is suspended and Dubravka cup tied, you’re not telling me that Loris Karius is going to be starting a major cup final for Newcastle I’m howling.”
One fan joked: “Karius has a good record in cup finals, right?”
Another said: “Karius man. I’m having heart palpitations.”
Others have said that Karius will be having flashbacks to the 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in which he made two awful clangers.
Despite that horror performance in the 2018 showpiece, his former manager Jurgen Klopp has backed his fellow countryman to come good for Newcastle.
“You can absolutely rely on him there’s no doubt about that he’s a great goalie that’s why Newcastle signed him,” Klopp said after the game.
‘But of course, unlucky for Nick Pope in that moment, really unlucky.”
Karius is currently dating stunning Italian TV presenter Diletta Leotta – but it remains to be seen whether she will be in the Wembley stands cheering on her man against Manchester United.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe wouldn’t be drawn on who would get the nod out of Karius or fourth choice keeper Mark Gillespie against the Red Devils.
But he revealed either will be ready for the occasion.
“They’ve started games away from competitive action in several friendlies and training games. I’d say they’re match ready,” Howe said after the final whistle.
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“I would have confidence in them, that’s what they’re in the squad for. They’ve both been very competitive and part of our group all season. I have full confidence.
“I feel really sorry for Nick [Pope]. It’s a very difficult one, he’s come out and slightly misjudged the ball, I suppose technically it is a handball, I don’t know the rules on the red card.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
