Alan Shearer thinks another player should be forced to miss the Carabao Cup final, after Nick Pope was sent off during Newcastle United’s loss to Liverpool.
On Sunday, Newcastle are due to take part in their first major cup final since losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final back in 1999.
They once again take on the side from Old Trafford and will have to do it without first choice goalkeeper Pope, who has been superb for them this season.
That came when the former Burnley number one came running out of his box to clear a long ball, only to miss a header and end up sticking out his arm to stop Mohamed Salah from getting it, and have an empty net to score into.
His fellow MOTD star, Shearer, believes that one of Erik ten Hag’s side should be joining Pope in the stands, claiming Marcel Sabitzer should have been sent off.
A free kick was given to Leicester City for Sabitzer’s foul but the referee didn’t believe it was worth carding the midfielder and the VAR official didn’t think it was a red card.
Yellow cards can’t be handed out by the video officiating system so the on loan Bayern Munich player got away without much punishment at all.
The idea Shearer shared, that Pope should be available, is rather inconsistent with the fact that Bruno Guimaraes is available for the final, despite being sent off in the semi-final win over Southampton.
Martin Dubravka is unavailable having played for Manchester United in the competition earlier this season, when on loan to Ten Hag’s side, he will ironically win a medal if the team from the north west are successful.
