Alan Shearer admits he does 'feel sorry' for Nick Pope and feels the absence of the Newcastle United goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup final will be a 'big blow'. The England international was shown a straight red card for a handball in the first-half of the Magpies' home defeat to Liverpool.
Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo fired the Reds into an early two-goal lead at St James' Park on Saturday evening, capitalising on poor defending from the hosts. Things went from bad to worse for Newcastle as Pope's attempted interception to prevent Mo Salah running through on goal led to the shot-stopper handling the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed the summer signing, who will now serve a one-match suspension and miss the Wembley clash with Manchester United. Shearer does not dispute the red card itself, but feels sympathy for Pope who he described as the Magpies' 'best player this season'.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker leads Newcastle plea for Nick Pope ban to be overturned after Liverpool 'anomaly'
He told Match of the Day: "I do feel sorry for him because he's probably been Newcastle's best player this season. This is after three minutes [a headed clearance to intercept a pass to Nunez], that happened already in the game and he looked a little bit awkward in that situation.
"He hasn't made an error this season, he's been superb, he's only conceded 15 goals. I don't know why he didn't go to clear it with his left foot, right foot or whatever. That's the law, he's got to be sent off."
Martin Dubravka is cup-tied having represented the Red Devils in the earlier stages of the competition, leaving Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie as Eddie Howe's options for the final. Shearer was then asked by fellow pundit Micah Richards whether he feels 'confident' for the Wembley showdown.
Newcastle's all-time goalscorer answered: "It's a big blow, huge actually, for Nick Pope and Newcastle. I do feel for him because that is the only error he has made."
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe's words should warn Manchester United and Jurgen Klopp thinks Newcastle have solution
Nick Pope's classy move at half-time and the huge pre-Wembley injury boost for Newcastle United
Newcastle United must 'digest' defeat and stick to same defensive principles without Pope at Wembley
Eddie Howe labels Nick Pope red card 'harsh' as he explains Newcastle keeper's dressing room feeling
Alan Shearer agrees with Eddie Howe as he delivers Nick Pope verdict after Newcastle United red card
