Liverpool will be looking to retain the Carabao Cup when they take on Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, with Caoimhin Kelleher starting in goal instead of Alisson Becker
17:04, 16 Mar 2025
Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool walks out of the tunnel prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
Caoimhin Kelleher was given the nod by Arne Slot(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has confessed that choosing Caoimhin Kelleher to play in net in the Carabao Cup final was a "not difficult" call.
The Irish goalie is set to take his place between the sticks for Liverpool at Wembley, facing off against Newcastle United, leaving regular number one Alisson Becker on the sidelines.
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Kelleher has already dazzled in two previous League Cup finals - those of 2022 and 2024 - and despite being second fiddle to the Brazilian shot-stopper, he's been given yet another opportunity to prove his worth under the iconic Wembley arch.
In a pre-match chat with Sky Sports, the Liverpool boss shed light on his rationale for the significant switch-up.
"That was not difficult," he remarked about benching Alisson. "There was only once when I played Alisson and that was when he was out for injury for quite a long time and I think in that moment he needed playing time, game time to be back to his best.
Alisson Becker of Liverpool looks on, during the warm up prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
Alisson was left on the bench
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"But for all the games we have always played the second choice and that also has been Jaros when Caoimhin was the number one. Caoimhin has always been so well for us that he also deserves to play this one," reports the Liverpool Echo.
Despite not having donned the Reds' jersey since their defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, Kelleher has racked up 20 appearances in all competitions with Slot at the helm.
However, these could be among his last outings for the Merseyside club.
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Come summer, Giorgi Mamardashvili is slated to join the Liverpool ranks and is tipped to be Alisson's understudy, which might push Kelleher to seek pastures new for more consistent game time.
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