EFL Cup: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has 'no doubts' Loris Karius will handle occasion against Manchester United

ByThe Editorial Team

Published 21/02/2023 at 18:14 GMT

With Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope ruled out of the EFL Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday, Eddie Howe may turn to Loris Karius. The German has not played a competitive game in two years and is perhaps best known for making two mistakes in the 2018 Champions League final while representing Liverpool against Real Madrid. But Karius has the full backing of his manager.

Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius has the full support and faith of his manager Eddie Howe as the North East side prepare for the EFL Cup final in the absence of Nick Pope.

Pope was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, ruling him out of this Sunday’s game against Manchester United, as Newcastle bid to end a 68-year wait for a trophy.

Second-choice keeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied having already played in the competition for Manchester United earlier in the campaign, while third-in-line Karl Darlow is on loan at Hull.

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Karius, who hasn’t played a competitive game of football in February 2021 for Union Berlin against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, is likely to get the nod over fellow reserve goalkeeper Mark Gillespie.

In his last stint in English football, Karius made the headlines for the wrong reasons when he made two mistakes in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final.

“In my experience Loris has been very calm, passionate about his work, passionate about goalkeeping, wants to do well, but he has that calmness and confidence that gives you a lot of belief that he'll be fine," said Howe, per The Northern Echo.

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"Those experiences can only help him in this moment. His character is a big strength in pre-game and build-up to the match.

"It's not as much [of an issue] as it would be an outfield player. If it was an outfield player you'd have doubts about their physical performance and whether they can last the game.

“As a goalkeeper, skills are totally different. They have had games. They've had a lot of training games, they've involved in everything. They just haven't had the crowd in front of them, which I understand is preferable if they had, but they haven't.

Loris Karius vs. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid vs. FC Liverpool)

Image credit: Getty Images

"But Loris has incredible experience. I have no doubts he'll handle the occasion.

"They're two goalkeepers [Karius and Mark Gillespie] that have been part of our unit all year. They train every day with the two coaches.

"They've been excellent this year. Their attitude to everything they've done has been very, very good. I know the focus from the media will be on them expecting some sort of big reaction but it's just work as normal to get ready for the game."

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