Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope lost his cool when he was given his marching orders on Saturday evening.
Allison’s pass to Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead at St James Park. As Pope rushed off his line in an attempt to clear the ball, the Egyptian appeared to be the favorite, but after fluffing his header, Pope grabbed the ball.
Pope went to boot the ball in frustration after immediately releasing his error, but instead caught teammate Kieran Trippier. And Magpies fans have reacted angrily on social media.
“What is going on in football today, Nick Pope, that was crazy!” one fan tweeted.
“What a howler! Nick Pope is insane; the second goalkeeper can’t even play in the cup final because he’s cup-tied “A second was added. “Nick Pope completely lost his head there, now United is handed the cup!” said a third.
And a fourth added: “Feel for Pope, a keeper’s natural instinct to go with his hands. He just lost his mind for a second there!”
Pope will now miss next weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, and Newcastle will be unable to use backup keeper Martin Dubravka, who replaced Pope against Liverpool, because he is cup-tied.
Instead, the Magpies may have to rely on ex-Reds flop Loris Karius, who could make his first first-team appearance in two years if he starts.
»Pope commits a sin at St’ James park«