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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Anthony Taylor was right to show Nick Pope a red card against Liverpool for “denying a goalscoring opportunity”.

The Magpies were 2-0 down after goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo before Pope was sent off for a handball in the 22nd minute. The 30-year-old sprinted off his line to clear Alisson’s long ball forward towards Mohamed Salah but misjudged the flight of the ball.

United head coach Eddie Howe said after the game he thought the decision was “harsh” and believes Taylor “could have given a yellow” with Sean Longstaff providing defensive cover.

Newcastle United's English goalkeeper Nick Pope (front L) reacts after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 18, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Gallagher, however, disagreed and poured cold water over what would have likely been Newcastle’s argument for a potential red card appeal.

“He’s denied a goalscoring opportunity, if he hadn’t handled the ball you’d say Salah would have been in control of the ball,” Gallagher told Sky Sports’ Ref Watch. “He’s going directly towards goal, I know the defender’s covering but if that was a defender that had done that, you’d still send him off.

“The fact that it’s a defender who can’t use hands makes it a goalscoring opportunity because he’s only just got to take two steps and shoot towards goals. Has he got a chance of getting a clear shot on goal and if you look at Salah, if Pope hadn’t handled it he can chip or he can shoot.”

Pope will miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley. And with Martin Dubravka cup-tied, Loris Karius, who’s yet to make his competitive debut for Newcastle since joining as a free agent in September, is expected to start.

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