Nick Pope

Newcastle will have to play their third choice goalkeeper in next weekend's Carabao Cup final after Nick Pope was sent off in their 2-0 defeat by Liverpool ...

[has not yet made a single appearance](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-loris-karius-carabao-cup-29251451) for Newcastle following his free transfer from Liverpool in September. Indeed, the German goalkeeper has not played a competitive match for an English side since his disastrous display in the 2018 [Champions League](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/champions-league) final for Liverpool. [Pope](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/nick-pope) was [dismissed in the 22nd minute](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-nick-pope-red-card-29251096) by referee Anthony Taylor after he handballed outside the penalty area. He will be replaced by [Loris Karius](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/loris-karius) or Mark Gillespie, with Dubravka cup-tied after appearing in the Carabao Cup for United while on loan earlier in the season. [Newcastle's](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) Carabao Cup final next weekend following a red card in the defeat by [Liverpool](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) on Saturday night. "I would have confidence in them, that's what they're in the squad for. That doesn't change our focus on the defensive display.” "They've started games away from competitive action in several friendlies and training games. "It was probably technically handball but I don't know the rules on red cards outside the box. It's harsh for Nick because he's been magnificent for us and to miss the next game is a huge blow for him." "I've not had a proper word with him but I've seen him and he looks visibly upset. [Newcastle](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) were already 2-0 down when the goalkeeper was sent off and had to sacrifice midfielder Elliot Anderson to bring on Martin Dubravka.

A bad night for Toon after 2-0 defeat as Jurgen Klopp's side reignite Champions League hopes.

"The red card changed the game a little bit. The referee had little option but to produce a red card which ended the keeper’s Wembley dreams as well as any realistic chance of recovery in the game. A bad evening for Eddie Howe’s men took a disastrous turn after 22 minutes when Pope raced from his goal in an attempt to prevent Salah from reaching Alisson’s clearance and having misjudged the flight, dived to head clear but diverted the ball on to his arm. "Let's hope [it's a significant result]. But it was Liverpool who took the lead after 10 minutes when Nunez controlled Trent Alexander-Arnold’s superb ball over the top and fired past the stranded Pope with his strike surviving a VAR check for offside. However, the Magpies’ hopes of extending their unbeaten league run to a club-record 18 games had already been ended by goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo inside the opening 17 minutes as the visitors – the only side to beat Newcastle in the league this season – ruthlessly exploited the space behind central defenders Fabian Schar and Sven Botman.

Newcastle United face a goalkeeping dilemma for next week's League Cup final against Manchester United as they bid for their first major trophy since 1955.

I thought the reaction to that sending off was brilliant from the team." "It's harsh for Nick because he's been magnificent for us and to miss the next game is a huge blow for him," Howe said. Howe said he thought the decision was harsh. "I would have confidence in them, that's what they're in the squad for. Martin Dubravka, who came on to replace him, is also unavailable because he is cup-tied after appearing earlier in the competition for Manchester United. That means manager Eddie Howe is left with Loris Karius, who has never made an appearance for Newcastle, and journeyman keeper Mark Gillespie.

Why Newcastle United will be without a key player for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday 26 February 2023.

Thursday’s Europa League second leg is set to serve up an epic conclusion to the thrilling 2-2 draw in the Camp Nou last week, a match which saw both teams play with boundless energy and focus on attack. The prospect of Karius making his competitive debut for Newcastle in a cup final is quite the storyline, considering his history with English clubs. He is also a hometown lad and has three previous Carabao Cup appearances for Newcastle, all of which came during the 2020/21 campaign.