Newcastle 0 Liverpool 2: Disaster for Toon with Pope sent off and Joelinton injured ahead of Carabao Cup final

LIVERPOOL closed the gap to the Champions League places to six points as Newcastle made the worst preparations possible for the Carabao Cup final.

Early goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo ensured this was a comfortable evening at St James’ Park for Jurgen Klopp.

ReutersLiverpool strolled to a comfortable win at Newcastle[/caption]

ReutersIt was a troublesome evening for Eddie Howe[/caption]

GettyNick Pope was sent off for handling outside his area[/caption]

Both men burst through the Toon offside trap and finished in style beyond Nick Pope.

And by the 22nd minute, Pope’s game was done as he came rushing out of his area and comically handled.

Anthony Taylor brandished the red card which rules the England goalkeeper out of the Wembley showpiece with Manchester United.

And to make things worse, Joelinton hobbled off with an apparent hamstring pull in another bitter blow for Eddie Howe on a miserable night.

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GettyDarwin Nunez blasted in to break the deadlock[/caption]

AFPCody Gakpo added the second on 17 minutes[/caption]

PAJoelinton limped off with an apparent hamstring strain[/caption]