Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday, barring any last-minute changes from manager Arne Slot, Binge Football understands.
Alisson Becker remains Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper when available, but Kelleher has consistently been the go-to option for domestic cup competitions.
The Irishman has started the majority of Liverpool’s domestic cup games in recent years and has become a key figure in these tournaments.
Kelleher has started three of the Reds’ five matches on the road to the Carabao Cup final and is expected to feature once again in another final.
He has been pivotal in previous Carabao Cup victories, having starred in the 2022 and 2024 triumphs over Chelsea.
The Republic of Ireland international kept a clean sheet in both finals, and even scored a penalty in the shootout during the 2022 final, securing victory over Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The goalkeeper’s consistent performances in the earlier rounds earned him the trust of former manager Jürgen Klopp, who assured Caoimhin Kelleher of his starting role at Wembley.
The Carabao Cup presents a chance for Slot to win his first trophy in England, with only two Liverpool managers since Bill Shankly – Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers – failing to lift silverware during their tenures.
Slot, however, has hinted that Alisson may start against Newcastle at Wembley, despite Kelleher’s history of heroics in the competition.
As of now, the Liverpool head coach has not informed either goalkeeper of his decision regarding who will start and who will be on the bench for Sunday’s final.
“They haven’t heard it themselves, but everyone that uses common sense [might guess],” said Slot. “So, [look at] all of our line-ups, [you] might have an idea.”
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