Arne Slot gives early verdict on if Alisson Becker or Caoimhin Kelleher will start the Carabao Cup final for Liverpool

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Liverpool reached a third Carabao Cup final in four seasons on Thursday after blowing Tottenham away at Anfield.

The Reds have made a handy habit of making it to Wembley, winning both the 2022 and 2024 finals in this competition.

In both of those wins over Chelsea, Caoimhin Kelleher was the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Kelleher has been fantastic this season, stepping in for the injured Alisson Becker and playing 16 matches across all competitions.

However, ahead of Thursday’s game, it had looked possible that Alisson would get the nod ahead of Kelleher.

In the end, Arne Slot made those predictions look foolish, picking the Irishman who duly kept a clean sheet. And with another final now on the horizon, Slot has been asked which goalkeeper he’s planning to choose against Newcastle.

Arne Slot yet to decide on Carabao Cup final goalkeeper

It was good to see Slot keep faith with Kelleher for the game on Thursday. The 26-year-old is also surely set to play in Sunday’s clash with Plymouth Argyle.

Given how well he’s done in his previous Carabao Cup finals with Liverpool, many would like to see Kelleher between the sticks again on March 16th.

Had Jurgen Klopp still been at the helm, then that would be a given. But as it’s Slot’s first ever final with the Reds, it remains to be seen what he’ll decide.

When asked the question directly during Friday’s pre-Plymouth press conference, the Liverpool head coach kept his cards close to his chest.

READ MORE: Liverpool equal amazing 131-year-old record after putting four past Tottenham in the Carabao Cup

“We never know what the situation around the final is, how fit is everyone, do they need a game yes or no,” Slot answered.

“So, I cannot guarantee anything to players or fans and that’s not what I’m going to do now.”

Slot explains Alisson decision

The thinking that Alisson may start against Spurs was largely borne out of the Brazilian getting the nod in the first-leg.

With Plymouth to come on Sunday, it also felt that Slot may wish to keep his first choice in rhythm ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby. But according to the Dutchman, it was never going to be anyone other than Kelleher.

“I think I said before the game, almost every time we’ve played the second goalkeeper in the League Cup,” he said.

“At Brighton it was Vit [Jaros] because Alisson was injured, the only exception was Tottenham away when I felt Alisson needed some extra playing time, because if you come back from injury – and you see this with many players – they need time to be at their best again. It felt better for him to play.

“Yesterday was a League Cup game, so that meant Caoimh was in goal,” he added. “And he absolutely deserved to be in goal for everything he did this season until now.”