Allan Saint-Maximin has described Nick Pope’s dismissal against Liverpool as “a very bad red card” for Newcastle with the goalkeeper now suspended for next Sunday’s League Cup final.
The England shot-stopper was given his marching orders for handling outside the area on 22 minutes when trying to stop a Mohamed Salah breakaway during the 2-0 defeat. Pope has been an integral part for the high-flying Magpies’ fortunes this season, being the Premier League’s golden glove leader with 12 clean sheets.
Eddie Howe has a headache on his hands with back-up Martin Dubravka cup-tied after featuring in earlier rounds of the League Cup while on loan at United during the first half of the season.
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And with Karl Darlow on loan at Hull, it leaves either reserve options Mark Gillespie or ex-Liverpool shot-stopper Loris Karius to choose from. Gillespie last played a first-team game in 2020 while Karius, yet to make his Newcastle debut, last featured for any club competitively in 2021.
His most recent match for an English side was the ill-fated 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid. But Saint-Maximin’s primary thoughts were with Pope, saying he now needs support from his teammates upon missing the Wembley trip.
“It’s a very bad day, I feel very sorry for Nick Pope because he tried to help the team and finally it’s a bad red card for the team because he will not be able to play the cup final,” the Newcastle winger said to Sky Sports.
“When you have a goalkeeper like him, he did everything to help us be in that situation so we need to support him, to be behind him as a team, but for sure it’s a bad day.”
He added: “We need to be focused for the cup game because now it’s done, but for sure I’m very disappointed because it’s always important to win before a cup final, but now we need to think about the final. I know all the team will fight to be able to win that important game.”
Speaking after full-time Howe said of Pope: “I've not had a proper word with him but I've seen him and he looks visibly upset. He's been outstanding for us this season.
“It's harsh for Nick because he's been magnificent for us and to miss the next game is a huge blow for him.” Speaking about his two available goalkeeping options, Howe added: “We've got a decision to make. Mark Gillespie has trained very well this season as has Loris [Karius].
“They’ve started games away from competitive action so several friendlies, training games, I’d say they’re both match-ready.
“I know people here won't have seen how they’ve trained but they’ve both been very competitive and been part of the group all season so I’ve got full confidence in both.”
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