Martin Dubravka addresses Newcastle's goalkeeper crisis ahead of Manchester United fixture

Former Manchester United loanee Martin Dubravka has compared Newcastle United's goalkeeper crisis to a movie, following Nick Pope's sending-off during Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at St James' Park.

After falling 2-0 down inside the opening 17 minutes, Newcastle's woes were compounded when shot-stopper Pope was sent-off just five minutes after Cody Gakpo had doubled Liverpool's lead. The former Burnley man, who has been exceptional this season, rushed out of his penalty area to try and beat Mohamed Salah to a punt up field and bizarrely handed the ball, denying the Egyptian a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Referee Anthony Taylor was left with no choice but to brandish a red card in Pope's direction, meaning he will miss next Sunday's Carabao Cup final against United at Wembley. He has played a key role in their run to the final, keeping four clean sheets in five matches, meaning he will no doubt be devastated at the thought of missing out.

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As big a blow as Pope's absence would be in normal circumstances, Newcastle have not been helped by the fact that Dubravka is cup-tied, having played in the competition during his loan spell at Old Trafford earlier this season. Other shot-stopper Karl Darlow also left the club on loan last month, joining Championship side Hull City for the rest of the season.

It means that former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is poised to start at Wembley and make his debut for the club. He joined Newcastle on a free transfer back in September.

Dubravka, speaking to Chronicle Live, said: "This could be a movie. It is a very strange situation.

"I can't play for obvious reasons. Nick got the red card. So now it's up to us to prepare the others mentally because