WATCH: Nick Pope shown straight red card for CRAZY handball outside his box as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah raced through on goal
- Liverpool already ahead 2-0
- Salah gets behind defence
- Pope makes strange decision out of desperation
WHAT HAPPENED? Mohamed Salah applied pressure on the charging goalkeeper after a long Alisson kick, but it was a strange move from Pope nonetheless as it put Newcastle down a man in the first half with the team already chasing the game.
Nick Pope gets a straight RED for handling the ball well outside of the box.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 18, 2023
📺: NBC & @peacock #MyPLMorning | #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/CDzmwDdXMf
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
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Pope will now miss the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United to suspension in a devastating personal blow for a 30-year-old who had wanted to play at Wembley Stadium with all eyes upon his club.
AND WHAT'S MORE: The suspension opens the door for an unlikely cup final appearance for Loris Karius, with Martin Dubravka cup-tied.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE? The Magpies will face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26.