Newcastle‘s third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius is in line to make his first senior appearance for two years in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United next week after Nick Pope sparked a keeper crisis at the club with a red card against Liverpool.
England goalkeeper Pope will be suspended for the Wembley clash — Newcastle’s first major final since the 1999 FA Cup final — after being sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area during the first-half of a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park.
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With Newcastle reduced to 10 men, manager Eddie Howe substituted midfielder Elliot Anderson in order for second-choice keeper Martin Dubravka to play out the remainder of the game in goal.
But Slovakia international Dubravka will also be ruled out of the Carabao Cup final because he made two appearances in the earlier rounds of the competition while on loan at next week’s opponents United.
Carabao Cup rules prohibit players from representing two teams in the competition in one season, so Dubravka will be ineligible for the game.
With previous third-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow being loaned out to Championship team Hull City for the rest of this season on Jan. 31, former Liverpool goalkeeper Karius and 30-year-old fourth-choice Mark Gillespie — who is yet to make a single Premier League appearance — are available to Newcastle for the Wembley game.
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“We’ve got a decision to make. Mark Gillespie has trained very well this season as has Loris [Karius],” Howe said after the defeat to Liverpool. “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.
“There’s been games where Nick [Pope] has had very little to do, there have also been moments where he has stepped up and made world-class saves for us.
“But we need to make sure we go into next week with the mindset that we protect our goal, as we have done all season, regardless of who the goalkeeper is. That doesn’t change our focus on the defensive display.
“We’ve got to digest this quickly and look forward to what is an exciting week for us.”
The 29-year-old Karius has yet to play for Newcastle since joining as a free agent last summer following the end of his contract at Liverpool. His last game was for Union Berlin against Hoffenheim in February 2021.
Karius did not make an appearance for Liverpool after being blamed for mistakes which led to two goals in the club’s Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid in Kyiv in 2018.
The German goalkeeper was subsequently revealed to have suffered concussion during that game, but despite his injury, played on during the 3-1 defeat.
Asked whether Karius can make up for that performance at Wembley five years ago, Howe responded: “This is what he has been working for, so yes. I hope so.”