Liverpool will start with Caoimhin Kelleher between the goalposts in next months’ Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, according to the manager Jurgen Klopp.
The 22-year-old Irish goalkeeper has emerged as an influential performer for the Merseysiders in the Carabao Cup as he put out another solid display in the recent 2-0 win over Arsenal in the second leg.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds booked their berth in the final courtesy of the win against The Gunners with Diogo Jota’s brace ensuring the result following a nil-nil affair in the first leg at Anfield earlier this month.
In his pre-match presser, the Liverpool boss praised the stellar run of form from Kelleher with the youngster stepping up to present himself as a viable option to make the XI.
Despite the first-choice Alison Becker making the team sheet for the first leg semi-final clash after his return from COVID-19 enforced absence, Klopp confirmed that Kelleher will keep his place on the team sheet in the final outing of the competition.
My idea in this moment is to play him. I don’t see any reason why we should not do that. Caoimhin deserves that. He brought the team there.
‘Last week (in the first leg) against Arsenal I had to explain to Caoimhin why he is not playing. I usually do not do that, but it was his competition and I thought Ali needs the game because he was lacking rhythm after Covid and all these kinds of things.
‘What I really liked was that Caoimhin was not like, “Oh yes, I understand”, he was like, “What? Why?” so he matures in all departments and that is good. That is the goalie we want.’
