Loris Karius’ Newcastle United absence explained ahead of Man United Carabao Cup final

You suspect not even Loris Karius could believe his own eyes at what unfolded in Newcastle United’s defeat to Liverpool on Saturday evening.

If Eddie Howe’s side thought conceding two early goals was the worst it could get then Nick Pope’s 22-minute red card quickly proved them wrong.

No, not because the Magpies were reduced to 10 men, but because it was immediately known that their No.1 will miss Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

On any given season, United would be able to call upon their No.2. In this instance, it’s Martin Dubravka, but the Slovak is cup-tied, and will ironically only claim a Carabao Cup winner’s medal if the Reds Devils win at Wembley after his two games on loan.

That means Karius, signed as a free agent in September, is expected to make his competitive Newcastle debut in the club’s first domestic final since 1999.

Not since November has the 29-year-old been named in the matchday squad. Indeed, that was the last sighting of Karius at St James’ Park with Mark Gillespie often selected as the third warm-up keeper behind Pope and Dubravka.

Read more: Sign up to our NUFC newsletter for team news, cup build-up and more

“He (Karius) hasn’t been routinely going to away games, we’ve mixed up who’s travelled as the third goalkeeper,” Howe explained after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat. “He’s been training today. He’s ready to play. I’ve got no issues with his fitness or form.”

Cup finals can throw up unlikely stories that go down in history. Karius is eyeing redemption after his last final was that devastating night in Kiev when Liverpool lost out on the Champions League to Real Madrid.

It’s also nearly two years to the day the German last played a competitive match, but he has Howe’s full backing.

“I’ve been really impressed. You see him from the outside, he’s a really likable character, very laid back and relaxed but is training focused.

“As I’ve said many times, Nick’s form has been a whole combination of things - the people around him have supported him, and Loris has been key to that. He’s been excellent behind the scenes, as has Mark.

“That’s what you have a goalkeeping team for. It’s not something we wanted for Nick because we wanted him to play but now it’s time for someone else to stand up.

Follow the latest Newcastle United headlines as we build up to the Carabao Cup final with our FREE email newsletter. All of the NUFC news you need all in one place. Visit our website here to sign up for yours. Howay The Lads!