Eddie Howe believes Nick Pope's sending off against Liverpool was 'harsh' with the Newcastle United goalkeeper now set to miss next week's Carabao Cup final. The Magpies shot stopper was sent for an early bath in the first-half of the 2-0 loss after handling the ball outside his area.
Pope, who Howe described as 'visibly upset' in the dressing room at full-time, stormed out of his goal as Mohamed Salah raced onto an Allison goal-kick over the top of Newcastle's defence. The goalkeeper failed to head the ball clear as he fell to ground before instinctively stopping the ball with his hand.
Referee Anthony Taylor saw no other option to send Pope off with a straight red card, meaning he will be suspended for the Wembley showpiece. Howe believes a yellow card would have been a fairer punishment.
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Howe said: “I’ve not had a proper word with him but I’ve seen him and he looks visibly upset. He’s been outstanding for us this season.
“These things happen at such high speed. The conditions were difficult with the wind and a slippy surface. Yes, it hit his arm.
"I thought the red card was harsh and the referee could have given a yellow. He has been magnificent this season. He doesn’t deserve to miss the game but it is what it is.”
Newcastle will now head into their first cup final since the turn of the century with Loris Karius expected to start in between the sticks. Martin Dubravka is cup-tied and Karl Darlow cannot be recalled from Hull City.
Howe admits the former Liverpool goalkeeper is ready to step up. “We have Loris and Mark, who have trained really well this season and been part of the goalkeeping team all season," he said. "They’re both fit and ready to play.”
Karius' last competitive game in English football came in the Champions League final for Liverpool almost five years ago, with the goalkeeper responsible for two Real Madrid goals on the evening as the Reds lost the tie.
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