I think Eddie Howe has decided on Newcastle United's goalkeeper for Carabao Cup final v Liverpool

Who will start in goal for Newcastle United when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday?

Well, I think Eddie Howe has made up his mind.

The goalkeeping situation has been heavily debated on Tyneside from the very moment Nick Pope was selected ahead of Martin Dubravka for the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest just over a fortnight ago.

It was Pope’s first Premier League appearance since the beginning of December after a knee injury ruled him out for six weeks. Before that, Dubravka had started 14 of the Magpies’ 15 matches, which included a nine-game winning run.

The Slovakian’s return in between the sticks came at a time when there was a serious offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. But following talks with Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, he agreed to stay and was rewarded with a new one-year contract.

A few days after that new deal was announced, Dubravka, much to his frustration, found himself out of the team for the visit of Nottingham Forest.

With Pope scrutinised over the opening goals he conceded against Forest and then Liverpool three days later, as well as facing the usual questions surrounding his distribution, Howe looked to have made a sharp U-turn when he recalled Dubravka for last weekend’s FA Cup fifth round exit at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

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But for the trip to West Ham United on Monday night, Pope was reinstated and kept his first clean sheet since November as Newcastle won 1-0.

“I always [select the best team to win the game],” Howe said when asked about Pope’s selection. “Players can always change your mind by how they train and how they play. Nick's played our last three Premier League games, but he played very well.”

And when asked directly if it would be Pope or Dubravka who starts at Wembley, Howe typically gave nothing away.

“Difficult call, but it is not the only one,” Howe told Sky Sports. “The goalkeeper situation has not been clear as both goalkeepers have been high-class.

“I was pleased with Nick [Pope] today. Everyone has to be ready. We need the whole squad focused on Sunday. You look for the best man for the job. You take form, training and everything into consideration. Tough calls to make.”

Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka?

Howe may be tight-lipped, and understandably so, but I think Pope’s selection at the London Stadium offers a strong indication that it’ll be him who gets the cup final nod.

If my senses are correct, then Dubravka will have every right to feel upset considering he played both semi-final legs against Arsenal.

There’s an argument to say the 36-year-old has enjoyed a better season but since Pope moved to St James’ Park in 2022, Howe’s preference has been pretty clear in my opinion.

A moment of madness robbed Pope of the opportunity to play in the last cup final two years ago. Perhaps that’ll be Howe’s mind too.

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