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Newcastle United’s Nick Pope ruled out of Carabao Cup Final

By Cade Cracas

Newcastle United's English goalkeeper Nick Pope (R) reacts after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 18, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's English goalkeeper Nick Pope (R) reacts after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 18, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After making a game-defying decision and playing the ball with his hands outside of the box, Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope will be unable to play in the Carabao Cup Final due to suspension.

In the 2-0 loss to Liverpool, Newcastle lost more than just the contest.

A free kick was taken on Liverpool’s side of the field, Newcastle was caught off-guard and Pope was in an odd position well outside of his box. With little time to think, he decided to dive toward the ball to head it away and instead of his head hitting the ball, his hands did.

Due to the fact, he was so far outside of his box, and it was an empty net behind him, he was instantly awarded a red card.

The red card comes the weekend before the Carabao Cup Final, where Newcastle United looks to take on Manchester United.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on February 18, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on February 18, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) /

“Unlucky for Nick Pope in that moment,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told reporters about the suspension. “Really unlucky.”

Pope has been a crucial goalkeeper for Newcastle as he’s allowed just 15 goals this season in Premier League play.

Through his time in the race for the Carabao Cup trophy, he gave up just one goal leading the team to four wins and one tie.

The loss of Pope will thrust a new goalie into the light on one of the biggest stages. That goalkeeper will be Loris Karius, a former member of Liverpool.

During his time with Liverpool, Karius led the team to a Champions League final and started 18 contests during the 2017-2018 regular season for the team.

The former manager of Karius, Klopp had kind words for the newly starting keeper.

“Yeah, I heard about that,” said Klopp of Karius. “I think they can absolutely rely on him, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a great goalie, that’s why Newcastle signed him”.

This suspension comes at one of the worst times, as this is the first appearance for Newcastle United in a Domestic Cup since 1999. The last time the team appeared in an EFL Cup final was during the 1975-1976 season where they fell, 2-1 to Manchester City.

Now, roughly 50 years later they take on a different Manchester, Manchester United.

Trending. 3 transfer targets for Newcastle United in the 2023 offseason. light

This coming contest occurs on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 5:30 P.M. GMT at Wembley Stadium.

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