Nick Pope completely lost his head and got himself sent off
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Nick Pope was sent off in the first half of Newcastle United's game against Liverpool, after missing an attempt at a header, and will now miss the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle were looking to cement their place in the top four at St James' Park on Saturday evening, and get revenge for their only loss in the league so far this season.
Liverpool were coming off the back of their win in the Merseyside derby earlier in the week, and hoping to press on in their chances of catching Newcastle.
The hosts started well but couldn't turn their early bright spots into an advantage, and they would soon be regretting that in a big way.
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Darwin Nunez got in behind the defence, following a ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, to slot home in the 10th minute and put Liverpool ahead, despite a VAR check.
Cody Gakpo then followed up his first goal against Everton last Monday, doubling his tally in a Reds shirt and their lead, after just 17 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for Eddie Howe's side five minutes later, when Pope came rushing from his area to beat Mohamed Salah to a long ball.
Pope went to head the ball but missed it, fell to the ground and then stuck out an arm to keep the ball away from Salah, quickly earning his marching orders.
NIGHTMARE! Nick Pope is SENT OFF! 🟥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2023
He will now MISS the Carabao Cup final... pic.twitter.com/kDaVTZSA6T
Whilst it wasn't great for their hopes for the rest of the match in front of them, the bigger blow for the Magpies may be for their next game.
Howe's men are next in action in eight days time when they face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final, their first major cup final since the FA Cup in 1999, when they lost to the same opposition.
The red card on Saturday means that Pope, who has only conceded 15 times in 23 games so far in the league, will miss out with a suspension.
Erik ten Hag's side nearly had a similar problem when Casemiro was sent off for violent conduct against Crystal Palace, but their rearranged game vs Leeds United meant that there were three league games before the Carabao final.
Newcastle fans were already dreading one part of the final, with referee David Coote having been confirmed as the man in the middle.
There was a conspiracy about Coote being a fan of their opponents at Wembley, however it was later proved not actually be the case.
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League
