Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Loris Karius is still a great goalkeeper after speculation that the former Liverpool goalie will play the Carabao Cup final for Newcastle against Manchester United.
Nick Pope, Newcastle’s starting goalkeeper was red-carded on Saturday’s game against Liverpool after he handed the ball outside of the goalkeeper’s box, denying a clear goal opportunity. Due to the red card, he will miss the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.
The final will be Newcastle’s first cup final with the last time being in 1999, making fans more worried about the game. Second goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied as he has already featured for Manchester United on loan in the Carabao Cup in a cruel twist of fate. Third-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow is also on loan to Championship Hull and cannot be recalled.
Karius will play his first game for an English club if he is eventually chosen. His last game was for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid. He made a series of mistakes that led to his team losing the final. Soon after his disastrous game, he was loaned to Turkish club Besiktas for two seasons and then joined Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. After becoming a free agent, he joined Newcastle in September 2022.
His coach at his Liverpool playing time, Jurgen Klopp had words of encouragement for his former player.
‘You can absolutely rely on him there’s no doubt about that he’s a great goalie that’s why Newcastle signed him, but of course, unlucky for Nick Pope at that moment, really unlucky.’ Klopp said in the post-game press conference after beating Newcastle 2-0.
"You can absolutely rely on him, no doubt about that, he's a great goalie."
🗣️ Jurgen Klopp on Loris Karius likely playing the League Cup Final for #NUFC pic.twitter.com/xIOtxjBRfS
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) February 18, 2023
Mark Gillespie, also a goalkeeper at the club is also available for selection and it is said manager Eddie Howe is debating over which goalkeeper to choose in the most important game for the club in a while.
Eddie Howe also had some words of encouragement for both Karius and Gillespie ahead of the crucial final,
“They’ve started games away from competitive action in several friendlies and training games. I’d say they’re match ready. I would have confidence in them, that’s what they’re in the squad for. They’ve both been very competitive and part of our group all season. I have full confidence. I feel really sorry for Nick [Pope]. It’s a very difficult one, he’s come out and slightly misjudged the ball, I suppose technically it is a handball, I don’t know the rules on the red card.”
Howe will now have to decide whether Karius or Gillespie will be the wall behind the team ahead of the most important game of Newcastle in recent times.
