Jamie Carragher has claimed that Nick Pope's sending off and subsequent suspension for the Carabao Cup final "is an absolute nightmare" for Newcastle United.
Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon as Newcastle lost only their second Premier League match this season. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo gave the visitors a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes, before Anthony Taylor then showed Pope a straight red card for handling the ball outside of the penalty area.
The dismissal means that the 30-year-old will be suspended for next Sunday's Wembley trip to take on Manchester United. Loris Karius is expected to take the gloves given that Martin Dubravka is cup-tied and Karl Darlow is currently on loan at Hull City.
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Carragher has now admitted that he believes the Pope will regret his actions in what is a massive blow for the Tyneside club.
He told Sky Sports: "Wow. It comes from one goalkeeper and ends with another. That all comes from Alisson and the run from Mo Salah. That is an absolute nightmare for Newcastle... Boy, will he regret that.
"There’s no doubt about the decision, when he’s kicking it away he [Pope] knows. Look, you can see it on his face. I must say, I am gutted for the lad. It is the right decision, it happens, but I’m absolutely gutted for him.
"Seeing him coming in today he’s been a huge part of this renaissance at Newcastle, he’s been performing as well as any goalkeeper in this division and we all know how big next week is for Newcastle. To have one of your best players missing, but listen, it’s football, it happens."
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