Newcastle United star Loris Karius and pop sensation Justin Bieber is one of the strangest and unlikeliest friendships you're likely to see.
The goalkeeper is back in the limelight ahead of his first professional game since February 2021, with Karius expected to start the League Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday.
First-choice Nick Pope was sent off in last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool after handling the ball outside his penalty area.
Eddie Howe can't call on second-choice Martin Dubravka as he made two appearances in the competition during his loan spell at United earlier this season.
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It means Karius, who hasn't played since turning out for Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin in a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim two years ago, will be getting the nod.
He's known by everyone who follows English football for his time at Liverpool. The 29-year-old made two massive errors in the 2018 Champions League final with the Reds losing the game 3-1 to Real Madrid.
Karius now has the chance to complete football's ultimate redemption story. What you might not know about Karius is that he's got friends in very high places.
Back in 2015, he bumped into 'What Do You Mean?' hitmaker Bieber while on holiday in Miami. They ended up getting along and exchanged phone numbers before deciding to go to a concert together.
Karius previously explained: "We just met on holiday randomly last year.
"We were staying at the same place in Miami. He liked my tattoos. He was asking me about them and then we got talking. That's how it started.”
Admit it. You didn't expect to be reading about Loris Karius and Justin Bieber being BFFs just hours before the League Cup final.
Magpies boss Howe is convinced Karius can deliver if he's called upon at Wembley.
He told reporters: "I've never really discussed [the 2018 final] at any length with him We've all got stuff that's happened in our careers and our histories that you learn from and he's no different in that respect.
"Since day one, since he's come here, he started where he hadn't had a lot of work before joining us, he's trained with our goalkeeper coaches in a really good way and I think his general performances in training have improved as he's spent more time with us.
"I think he's in a good place and he's ready to play."
Who do you think will win the Carabao Cup final? Newcastle United or Manchester United? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Loris Karius, Newcastle United, Carabao Cup
Daniel Marland