THE NOTEBOOK: Tyneside remembers two of its own in Christian Atsu and Sir Bobby Robson

Tyneside recalled two of their own before kick-off, after it was confirmed that Christian Atsu is among the thousands killed in the devastating earthquake in Turkey.

The 31-year-old’s wife and three children were at the match to see the former Newcastle and Chelsea midfielder honored with a rousing one-minute applause.

That came after the latest ‘World Flags’ display at the East Stand celebrated the life of Sir Bobby Robson on what would have been the former England and Newcastle manager’s 90th birthday.

LORIS KARIUS READY TO MAKE HIS NEWCASTLE DEBUT AT WEMBLEY

Think of Elliot Anderson, who had probably imagined that his full Premier League debut would be something other than how it turned out.

The 20-year-old home academy product came on for the injured Chris WIllock on the left side of a midfield three, but lasted just 24 minutes before having the misfortune of being the pawn sacrificed when Martin Dubravka was introduced after the Early expulsion of Nick Pope. .

A direct red card for handball outside the area is the worst possible moment for the English goalkeeper, who is now suspended for the Carabao Cup final.

Dubravka is cup-tied and Karl Darlow has been loaned to Hull for the rest of the campaign, so Loris Karius, the former Liverpool goalkeeper who signed a contract extension last month to keep him at the club until the end of the season, is online. to make his Newcastle debut at Wembley on Sunday.

Now just remind us how the 29-year-old fared for the Reds in the 2018 Champions League final.

THE RETURN OF BRUNO WILL BE RECEIVED WITH OPEN ARMS

The first name on Newcastle’s squad sheet for the Carabao Cup final? Bruno Guimaraes. The importance of the Brazilian’s playing style in Eddie Howe’s side has been underscored during a three-match suspension that the 24-year-old completed with Liverpool’s visit to St James’ Park.

Of the six Premier League games the fan favorite has missed this season, Newcastle have drawn four and lost the other two when they hit the self-destruct button in spectacular style without their South American talisman.

Guimaraes’ stardust turns a largely hardworking team into something much more potent as the midfielder prepares to take on Manchester United at the revamped Wembley Stadium and raring to play after all February off so far. His return will be welcomed with open arms.

GEORDIES WITHOUT WIN IN SEVEN YEARS AGAINST LIVERPOOL

Liverpool could be forgiven for asking Eddie Howe if they can play him every week.

The Newcastle coach has already lost 15 of the 17 games he has played against the Reds in all competitions after a result that leaves the Geordies winless in their last 13 league meetings with Jurgen Klopp’s men for more than seven years.

GARETH SOUTHGATE’S BOYS OF ENGLAND FIGHT

Gareth Southgate left the North East with more questions than answers as he surveyed the carnage of a crazy 90 minutes.

It turned out to be a night to forget for many of the players the England manager had come to see, notably Nick Pope thanks to the goalkeeper’s red card in the first half.

Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson were pulled early in the second period, while Callum Wilson squandered a chance to impress when the Newcastle striker came off the bench only to continue his recent run of weakness in front of goal by missing a presentable opportunity to reduce to half the score of your team. deficit.