Newcastle United have been dealt a major blow after Nick Pope was sent off in the Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The England international raced out of his goal on 22 minutes after Mo Salah got free with the United stopper handling outside the area. Pope now picks up an automatic ban due to it being a straight red card and now can't play in the Carabao Cup final next weekend at Wembley.
But the complications don't end there for Newcastle with Martin Dubravaka cup-tied having played for Manchester United earlier in the competition. And with Karl Darlow on loan at Hull City until the end of the season, United will turn to Loris Karius, who signed for the Magpies earlier this season.
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The former Burnley stopper had conceded two early goals but that was nothing compared to the deep disappointment of missing the club's first final in 24 years.
“Loris has been excellent since he’s been with us, created a really good goalkeeping department,” said Eddie Howe when Karius signed a new deal.
“I think we have a slightly unique position with the Carabao Cup. Martin’s cup-tied, so we want to make sure we have enough strength for that competition while also giving players that we don’t feel will play to maybe go and play elsewhere."
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