'He deserves it': Liverpool fans urge Klopp to pick 23-year-old from the start against Arsenal tonight

Jurgen Klopp has a big decision to make about who starts in goal for Liverpool tonight. Caoimhin Kelleher has been brilliant in the Carabao Cup for The Reds this season. But Alisson played the first-leg of the semi-final and is obviously the first choice ‘keeper.

Klopp more-or-less confirmed that Alisson would start pre-match last week. But Pep Lijnders was noticeably more cautious when asked yesterday.

“We are really happy with all three of them (Kelleher, Alisson and Adrian). Let’s see tomorrow who’s going to start. I’m sure all three would do well,” Lijnders said.

It’s testament to the progress Kelleher is making that it’s even a debate. When a place in a cup final is at stake you want your best players on the pitch. Alisson is the better ‘keeper. Nevertheless, some fans on Twitter are expecting and hoping to see Liverpool’s Irish stopper tonight.

Kelleher the penalty king

One argument for starting the 23-year-old is that the game could be decided by a penalty shootout.

Kelleher famously saved two Leicester penalties to get Liverpool through the shootout in the last round. He also saved a penalty in normal time against Norwich in round three.

That wasn’t the first time the goalie had come to his teams rescue either. Kelleher was in net for the shootout as Liverpool beat tonight’s opposition in the fourth road of this competition in 2019.

Alisson is no slouch from 12-yards either by the way. He has only been beaten half of the ten times he has faced a penalty for Liverpool. Remarkably four of the five unsuccessful spot-kicks missed the target completely. The big Brazilian clearly has a knack for putting off those taking against him.

Whoever Klopp decides to go with, Liverpool will feel confident that if it come down to it, they will have the upper-hand in a penalty lottery.