Football: Howe urges Karius to take second chance in League Cup final

LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has urged Loris Karius to “rewrite the story of his career” as the goalkeeper prepares to make his first competitive appearance for two years in Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester United.

The German is best remembered for two major blunders which gifted Real Madrid a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final. That proved to be his final match for the Reds as he made loan moves to Besiktas and Union Berlin before his contract at Anfield expired last season.

Karius, 29, then joined Newcastle in September but is yet to play for the Magpies as he appeared to be Howe’s fourth-choice goalkeeper.

However, Nick Pope’s red card in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend means the England international is suspended.

His deputy Martin Dubravka is Cup-tied, after playing for United during a loan spell earlier this season, and Karl Darlow left to join Hull City on loan in the January transfer window.

Karius is now battling with Mark Gillespie, who has not played for Newcastle since 2020, for a start at Wembley.

“It would be a magnificent chance for him to rewrite the story of his career,” said Howe of Karius’ chance for redemption. “As soon as it happened, it was almost that feeling that there’s another story in Karius’ career – another page or chapter to write and who knows what that chapter will look like?

“That’s the beauty of football. We never know what is going to happen. This unpredictability is what makes it such an amazing thing to watch.”

Newcastle are aiming to end a 68-year wait for major domestic silverware in their first full season under the ownership of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

Howe also said he had reached out to Karius once it became clear he could start at Wembley after Pope’s dismissal on Saturday.

“With Loris, I had a chat with him on Saturday night, I felt the need to connect with him and speak with him,” he added.

“He was great, very relaxed. That’s the kind of guy he is, a very cool customer.”

Karius last played a competitive game when he lined up for Union Berlin on Feb 28, 2021.

He was also backed by his former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to put his 2018 Champions League final nightmare behind him.

Karius was in floods of tears at the end of the game in Kyiv. A subsequent medical examination indicated he had suffered a concussion from an elbow to his head, reportedly from Sergio Ramos, minutes before his first mistake.

Klopp said at the time that his performance was “100 per cent influenced by his concussion”.

The Reds boss was asked on Sunday if Karius had the mentality to handle another appearance in a final. “I have no doubts,” said Klopp. “He’s a great goalie, that’s why Newcastle signed him.” AFP