Liverpool exited the Champions League against PSG in midweek and Arne Slot has a number of big selection calls to make
(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images.)
Paul Merson believes Arne Slot should drop Diogo Jota and Alisson for Liverpool's Carabao Cup Final clash with Newcastle United. The Reds take on the Magpies at the home of English football on Sunday, looking to pick up their first piece of silverware under the Dutch manager.
Liverpool had been on course for a dramatic treble before they were dumped out of the Champions League by PSG on penalties on Wednesday night. Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero of the shootout for the French side, who won the tie 4-1 on penalties.
Slot will be hoping his side isn't nursing a hangover from that defeat in midweek, and Merson believes a number of changes to freshen up the starting XI will help their cause this week.
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"Darwin Nunez missed his penalty against PSG in the shootout, but I would still want him to start this game against Newcastle," Merson told Sportskeeda. "He is someone who always creates problems to defenders.
"If I’m Dan Burn or Fabian Schar, I want to play against Diogo Jota on Sunday. Jota is someone who likes to drop deep, whereas Nunez would work those centre-halves a lot more by constantly engaging with them.
"I doubt he will get a chance after the penalty miss, but he’s a menace inside the box and no defender wants to play against him in a final like this! Another big selection call Liverpool must make is with respect to their goalkeeper.
"Caoimhin Kelleher is probably the best no.2 in the world right now and has been incredible in cup games for Liverpool.
"Alisson is in fine form as well like we all know. I think Arne Slot will go with Kelleher here. And rightly so, he shouldn’t leave the kid out after relying on him all throughout this competition.
"It’s not even a gamble because Kelleher has proven himself more than once in the past."