Liverpool face Newcastle in the League Cup final this weekend.
The reds overcame a 1-0 deficit to Tottenham in the first leg of the semi-final. A 4-0 hammering at Anfield secured their path to the final. After a painful exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the reds are hoping to bounce back and win their first trophy of the season.
It would be no less than Arne Slot deserves after the great job he has done with this Liverpool team. No one really gave the club a chance to compete for silverware this year after Jurgen Klopp left last summer. Hopefully a cup win this weekend can kick off the new era.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Liverpool make huge cup final decision
Credit: Imago Images
Arne Slot has been known to make changes whenever his side are under pressure. His change in tactics, and second half substitutions won the first leg tie against PSG in Paris. And this season, his decisions to rest and rotate at certain points have paid off greatly.
According to Lewis Steele, Liverpool have chosen to start Caomhin Kelleher in the League Cup final this weekend. This decision will surely baffle some fans, especially after seeing Alisson’s performances in the Champions League. The report claims that Kelleher is more likely to start over the Brazilian as things stand. Liverpool’s back up keeper has a lot of experience in cup competitions, so the decision to start him this weekend is not really a big deal.
Ahead of the final, the reds have already been given a huge boost. Newcastle’s refusal to appeal Anthony Gordon’s suspension means he will miss the final.
Has Slot made the right choice?
Last season, Kelleher was the cup keeper as Liverpool reached and won the League Cup against Chelsea. He has experience in the competition and has won a penalty shootout. Unfortunately for the Ireland international, Alisson has been more available this season, and thus he has been limited to just three starts in the competition.
With multiple reports linking him with a move away from Anfield, it looks like the club want to reward him before he leaves. Starting and potentially winning the final would be a great send-off for Kelleher who has been a great servant to the club over the past few years.
It will be down to Arne Slot eventually, but sometimes sentiment matters more in moments like these.
