Steve Harmison has urged Newcastle fans to forget about Loris Karius’ errors and back him.
The Newcastle fan is backing Karius to do well in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday and recover from the heartbreak of the Champions League final from 2018.
Karius is likely to start at Wembley after Nick Pope was sent off on Saturday against Liverpool, with Martin Dubravka cup tied and Harmison thinks the no.1 will be a big loss.
Karius had a difficult game five years ago as his two errors played a part in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid.
He first gave the ball to Karim Benzema for the opener, before he misread Gareth Bale’s shot that gave the Spanish side a two-goal lead.
The goalkeeper was visibly distraught after the game as he was in tears and his Liverpool career effectively came to an end after that.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former England cricketer Harmison backed Karius to come good: “Pope has been one of, if not the Premier League player of the season so far, at least one of the top three. The defensive record is largely down to the fact that Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman and Burn have been solid as a five.
“A lot has been said about Karius and what he did in the Champions League final for Liverpool and what he did and you just never know on the day. I hope he has a good game.”
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Harmison then said he has a sportsperson’s sympathy for Karius and backs him to come good against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.
“We are so quick in this country to mock individuals. He had a bad day, so what? He’s a professional. He’s a human being.
“Not only as a Newcastle fan do I hope he has a good day that day at Wembley, to not dispel what happened to him in the Champions League final, just for the human element to see a professional sportsperson putting something to one side and coming out stronger at the other.”
Karius is yet to play for Newcastle since signing for them in the summer transfer window on a free deal, though manager Eddie Howe could also use Mark Gillespie.
Speaking about his options, Howe clearly has confidence: “That’s what they are in the squad for. I have got to say: I know everyone here won’t have seen how well they have trained, but they are both very competitive and have been part of the group all season.”