Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confident Loris Karius ready to step into the heat Carabao Cup Final battle after Nick Pope’s heartache.
Pope was sacked for acting outside of his home area during Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League, and as a result has been suspended for next Sunday’s match with Manchester United at Wembley.
Germany’s Karius, who joined the Magpies on a short-term contract in September – has since been extended until the end of the season – has yet to make his club debut, but it looks certain to do so in the biggest game in the world. recent history of the club.
When asked if the 29-year-old was up for it, head coach Howe said: “That’s why we took a player in his profile. He has experience in big games so I have no doubts or problems with his ability to step in.”
Karius and Mark Gillespie are Howe’s two remaining options for Wembley. martin dubravkaKarl Darlow is on loan at Hull, taking over from Pope, who was already playing competitively this season, when he made a temporary transfer to United.
Howe said: “Nick is understandably very disappointed, as we were for him. This season has been great for us and he doesn’t deserve to miss the game but that’s what happens and we’ll see what our options are.
“We have Loris and Mark, who have trained very well this season and have been part of the goalkeeping team all season. Both are in shape and ready to play.”
Karius hasn’t had a competitive appearance since Union Berlin’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim in February 2021 in the Bundesliga and had a personal appearance in 2018 Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. had a nightmare.
But when asked about his mentality, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: “I have no doubt about it. He’s a great goalkeeper, so Newcastle signed him.”
Pope was sacked after he misjudged Alisson Becker’s distance and ball possession to prevent Mohamed Salah from reaching the ball, but at that point, a Magpies defense who had conceded just 13 goals in 22 league games before was breached twice by over-the-top balls. let Darwin Nunez score first and then Cody Gakpo.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Dan Burn hit the pole as 10 people were gathering, but there was no turning back.
Howe said, “Yeah, it hit his arm. Red card? Personally, I think this is harsh. I think the referee could have easily given a yellow card in this situation.”
Liverpool’s second win in a week put them six points behind the fourth-placed Magpies, but Klopp called for more consistency, explaining that Nunez suffered a shoulder injury that is being evaluated.
When asked how big the victory was, he replied, “Huge, huge, huge, huge.
“I don’t think we’re in a position where we can just blow our mouths and say, ‘We’re here,’ and go again. It’s clear we’re in a better place than we were a few weeks ago, but there’s still room for improvement and we need to be consistent.
“The next game is Real Madrid, it’s a different competition, it has nothing to do with today’s game. We have to recover and then go for it and after that, this is Crystal Palace.”