Alisson Becker now looks likely to start Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final tonight. We didn’t see that coming. But Jurgen Klopp made the surprising admission in his pre-match briefing yesterday.
Alisson hasn’t played for The Reds since the loss against Leicester on December 28th. In the two games since then Caoimhin Kelleher has been near faultless.
Breaking from tradition
The Carabao Cup is also traditionally the back-up ‘keeper’s competition across most Premier League clubs. But Klopp says that Alisson needs “rhythm” after sitting out due to Covid.
“I think he needs the game now. We will see how we decide it finally but there is a good chance that Ali will play tomorrow just because of the situation with COVID and everything, when he was out,” said the Liverpool manager to the club’s official website.
“We all need to make sure the boys have as much rhythm as they can get. So there’s a good chance Ali will start tomorrow.”
The game would amazingly be the number one’s debut in the competition. But some Liverpool fans think Kelleher has done more than enough to earn his chance to play in the semi-final.
Kelleher has undoubtedly had a massive hand in getting Liverpool to this stage. He was the hero as he saved two penalties in the last round against Leicester. He also memorably saved a penalty against Norwich in the third round with his team 1-0 up.
A temporary solution
Klopp did acknowledge that the Irishman is his goalkeeper for the competition. “The competition is actually Caoimh’s competition, that’s true,” said the boss. It seems as though normal service could be resumed for the second leg then.
While it does seem harsh on Kelleher, it’s easy to take Klopp’s comments at face value. Alisson has struggled at times after returning from a lay-off. Regardless, Liverpool fans shouldn’t be too downbeat. The Brazilian is still a superior ‘keeper to his understudy and the decision surely enhances the team’s chances of winning tonight.
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