Newcastle United are facing the prospect of a League Cup final without in-form goalkeeper Nick Pope next weekend. The Magpies stopper was sent for an early bath in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool after handling the ball outside the penalty area.
Pope was visibly gutted after Anthony Taylor brandished the red, with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe labelling the decision 'harsh'. Loris Karius is now expected to start in between the sticks at Wembley next weekend when Howe's side take on Manchester United.
The Toon boss was asked about whether he would appeal the decision, given he felt it was a harsh call. Football rules state a goalkeeper can be sent off for a handball offence if he was deemed to have denied a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity through the handball.
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If he is only deemed to have stopped a promising attack, he will only be issued a yellow card. Mohamed Salah would have been through on goal had Pope not handled the ball but Newcastle defender Sean Longstaff was also in the picture as he raced back towards his own goal.
When asked whether Newcastle would be lodging an appeal, Howe said: “I don't know where we stand on that so it would be foolish of me to comment too much.
“It was probably technically handball but I don’t know the rules on red cards outside the box. For me it was a harsh reaction but I understand if it’s in the rules."
Howe added: “These things happen at such high speed, and the conditions were slightly difficult with the wind and the slippy surface. I think he just probably slightly misjudged the ball.
“Yes, it's hit his arm. Is it a red card? I'm of the view I think that was harsh, personally. I think the referee could have easily given a yellow card in that situation.”
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