Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius could be in line for a sensational first start for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley next Sunday.
And the German's unexpected opportunity has arrived via a bizarre set of circumstances involving his former club.
The Magpies' first-choice shot-stopper, Nick Pope, was expected to start the showpiece final - the North East club's first Wembley appearance in 24 years - but his dreams were left in tatters after being sent off against the Reds after inexplicably handling the ball outside his penalty area.
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It means the England international will now be suspended for next Sunday's final against Manchester United, but in a further plot twist, back-up 'keeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied having played on loan for the Reds Devils in the earlier rounds of the competition.
It means that Karius, who saw his short-term deal with Newcastle extended until the end of the season by Eddie Howe, could now be set to make a shock debut on the biggest of occasions.
Karius left Liverpool on loan in 2018 after being frozen out of the first-team squad following two horrendous errors in the Champions League final against Real Madrid in 2018, before leaving permanently in 2022.
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