Newcastle United are now going to be without Nick Pope for the Carabao Cup final, but Gary Lineker believes that the goalkeeper should be allowed to play against Manchester United.
The England international was sent off during Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. It was a moment of madness from Pope, as he raced out of his box to intercept a long ball up the pitch from Alisson.
But Pope got it all wrong, and ended up using his hands to stop Mo Salah from having a goalscoring opportunity. Anthony Taylor immediately brandished a red card, which was the correct decision.
It means that the 30-year-old will now be suspended for the game at Wembley this weekend. It is a cruel blow, and opens the door for Loris Karius to make his Newcastle United debut.
Toon fans will get behind the German, but Match Of The Day host Lineker thinks Pope should be allowed to play despite his red card.
Gary Lineker questions why Nick Pope is banned for the Carabao Cup final
Speaking on Match Of The Day, Lineker pondered why Pope should miss the Carabao Cup final after getting a red card in the Premier League, referencing Joelinton’s situation had he picked up a 10th yellow card of the season.
“Wasn’t Joelinton on nine yellows?” Lineker asked.
“If he’d have got another yellow he would have missed two games, but not the Carabao Cup final. As an anomaly, why is that? Come on, let him play in the cup final! He’s been brilliant this season.”
Newcastle need Bruno Guimaraes more than Nick Pope
While Lineker’s sentiment is understandable, there would be even worse ramifications if he got his way.
If Pope’s Premier League red card only meant that he was suspended for that competition then he would be available for the final.
However, it would also mean that Bruno Guimaraes was suspended. He received a red card in the semi final second leg against Southampton, and was given a three-game ban.
Luckily for Newcastle, he has been able to serve that in the Premier League and will now be available to make his return on Sunday.
It is a double-edged sword for the Magpies. It is strange that a red in the league can impact the cup, but they are the rules. Sometimes it works in your favour, as it has with Bruno, while other times it goes against you, which it has with Pope.
In a perfect world, both Bruno and Pope would be able to play the final. However, if you could only pick one, I’m sure most Toon supporters would go with the Brazilian midfielder.
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