Ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final clash against Newcastle United at Wembley, Arne Slot faces a number of important decisions for his starting lineup. With the Reds hoping to secure their first major trophy of the season, the question of who will start in goal is one that has sparked much debate.
Following their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, the Carabao Cup remains Liverpool’s only realistic chance of silverware this season, though they still sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League with a 15-point lead over Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
While much of Slot’s starting XI is likely already decided, the goalkeeper position is a point of contention. Liverpool have two quality options in Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher, both of whom are available for selection. Kelleher, who has been the preferred choice for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup this season, has made three appearances in the competition. On the other hand, Alisson has only featured once in the League Cup, during the semi-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur.
The situation is similar for Newcastle, who have often relied on their second-choice keeper, Martin Dubravka, in the Carabao Cup, with Nick Pope playing fewer minutes in the competition. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit, recently weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Liverpool should go with their best team for the final.
Carragher stated: “You go with your best team when you’re in a cup final, certainly when you’re in a position like Newcastle. Liverpool might do something different with Kelleher, but he’s certainly got to prove he’s in the best team, especially with someone like Pope in goal for Newcastle.”
With the stakes high and the pressure on, the SPORTIME team debates whether Slot should stick with Kelleher, who has been the regular in this competition, or opt for the more experienced Alisson to help secure Liverpool’s first cup of the season.
