Former Liverpool shot-stopper Loris Karius could be set to start in goal for Newcastle United’s crucial Champions League Tie against AC Milan tomorrow night, having last appeared in the competition in 2018’s final against Real Madrid.
Newcastle’s Champions League Campaign
Having won just 1 game and drawn 2, Newcastle sit third in Champions League Group F as they head into tomorrow evening’s crucial clash with bottom side AC Milan.
In order to qualify the Magpies must beat the Italian side on the night and hope that Borussia Dortmund, who have already qualified, manage to prevent PSG from winning.
However, if PSG do pull together to beat Dortmund, they would top the group and end Newcastle and AC Milan’s Champions League campaigns.
Newcastle Goalkeeper Crisis
With Nick Pope out of action for the foreseeable future, Martin Dubravka has stepped into the No.1 spot for the Magpies past 3 games in which they have lost 2 and won 1.
However, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has suggested that the Slovakian goalkeeper could be a doubt for tomorrow’s game. Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Howe said: “It’s still unclear whether Martin Dubravka will be fit for tomorrow.”
⚪️⚫️ Eddie Howe on Newcastle emergency: “It’s still unclear whether Martin Dubravka will be fit for tomorrow”.
…Loris Karius would be ready in case Dubravka won’t make it. pic.twitter.com/OrOMf2ozry
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 12, 2023
As a result, this would mean third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius would likely step in to fill the void left by Newcastle’s 2 first-choice shot-stoppers.
Now, where have we heard that name before?
Loris Karius In The Champions League
Loris Karius last featured in a Champions League game for Liverpool in the 2018 final against Real Madrid.
Unfortunately for the German, he is perhaps best known for his absolute horror show in this game, where he made two unforgivable blunders to effectively hand Los Blancos their 13th Champions League trophy.
First of all, Karius threw the ball at the onrushing Karim Benzema who inadvertently deflected the ball into a vacant net to open the scoring.
Then, in the dying moments of the game and with Liverpool desperately seeking an equaliser, the German fumbled a speculative long-range Gareth Bale effort into his goal to put the outcome beyond doubt.
Newcastle fans will no doubt be nervous about Karius appearing in goal against AC Milan, considering his Champions League history, but can the German redeem himself on the biggest stage?
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