Both Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher have been pressing for a starting role in goal for Liverpool's League Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday
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and Ian Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer
Alisson Becker of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 25, 2025
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot was asked about who will line up between the sticks for Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday. And rather than clarifying the situation, his answer served only to further muddy the waters.
“They haven’t heard it themselves, but everyone that uses common sense (might guess),” said the Reds boss, when asked whether Alisson Becker or Caoimhin Kelleher will start against Newcastle United. “So, (look at) all of our line-ups, (you) might have an idea. I have (decided)."
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Hmm, look at all the line-ups. Well, Alisson is very much the first-choice shot-stopper when available. But Kelleher has been the regular starter in domestic cup competitions. Who, then, should it be? The ECHO ponders arguably one of Slot's most difficult selection decisions this weekend.
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Paul Gorst
Three years ago, Jurgen Klopp's decision to keep faith with Caoimhin Kelleher for the Carabao Cup final with Chelsea represented something of a radical call by the then Liverpool boss.
But after watching the Irishman smash home the deciding penalty in the shootout before the club commissioned a mural in his honour on the goalkeepers' wall at the AXA Training Centre, few could argue that Klopp's bold move wasn't the right one.
Back then, though, the decision to select Kelleher was very much done so as a carrot to keep the Republic of Ireland international happy at Anfield, content with his role as Alisson Becker's understudy who would get his chance in the domestic cups.
And no-one can debate that Kelleher didn't take his opportunity with both hands having since established himself as one of best deputies around in the Premier League.
That was then, however. With Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way this summer and with Kelleher entering the last 12 months of his contract - making it the last window where the club can fetch a reasonable transfer fee in line with his quality - there is no longer any real need to offer the backup glovesman a bargaining chip.
And given Kelleher hasn't played a game since last month's FA Cup exit at Plymouth Argyle five weeks ago, it would be a major call to drop out an in-form Alisson simply for the sake of allowing the deputy to continue on in this competition.
Having won it twice already at Anfield, few would be fearful of Kelleher dropping a clanger in the Wembley showpiece but with Slot referring to Alisson as "the best goalkeeper in the world" less than a fortnight ago, deliberately rotating the Brazilian is a needless risk.
If Slot also believes Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk are the best in their respective positions then it would look like a bizarre call to take either out of the team for Sunday's final. That same logic should apply here for Alisson.
Ian Doyle
It has long been established Liverpool have perhaps the best number two goalkeeper in the Premier League in Caoimhin Kelleher.
And in recent seasons, injuries to Alisson Becker have meant the Republic of Ireland international has played a significant part in the Reds progress, first last season under Jurgen Klopp and then this term with Arne Slot in charge.
Indeed, his 17 appearances this campaign have included clean sheets in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen and a similar shut-out in the home dismissal of outgoing Premier League champions Manchester City.
Telling, though, is that Kelleher has started five of the seven domestic cup games. And even more instructive is that he has been between the sticks for 15 of the last 19 League Cup ties while Alisson has only ever played twice in the competition in six seasons - both when Klopp and then Slot cited the goalkeeper needed rhythm after injury by starting the Brazilian in a semi-final first leg.
Yes, Kelleher's last Premier League appearance saw him drop a clanger in conceding a last-minute equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Newcastle United back in December.
That, though, was a rare blemish. Kelleher has already been the League Cup final hero twice for Liverpool - there's no reason to suggest he shouldn't have the chance to complete the hat-trick on Sunday.
Theo Squires
Caoimhin Kelleher has been Liverpool’s hero in the League Cup final in both 2022 and 2024. While Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in the world, I’m backing the Republic of Ireland to be given the nod to try and make it a hat-trick.
Arne Slot has already admitted that, following in Jurgen Klopp’s lead, the League Cup is the Reds number two’s competition. When Kelleher was first-choice in the absence of the injured Alisson, it led to Vitezslav Jaros being handed his full debut as they stuck to that model.
And when Alisson was given the nod in the semi-final first leg against Tottenham following a recent return from injury, the Liverpool head coach explained that was an exception to usual protocol.
While I can understand the logic in now opting for the Reds’ number one, seeing as it is the final, Kelleher has never let Liverpool down. It has previously been agreed that the number two plays in the League Cup so that should remain the case at Wembley.
With Giorgi Mamardashvili joining the club in the summer, it would be no surprise if Kelleher left the Reds at the end of the season. But that doesn’t mean he should be overlooked now.
Who knows, it could even prove to be his last game for Liverpool. So let him go out on the high. And at the very least, if it goes to penalties, the stage is set for spot-kick expert Kelleher to be the Reds’ Wembley hero once again.