Jamie Carragher simply cannot wrap his head around how Jurgen Klopp is planning to drop Alisson for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final with Chelsea.
Wembley plays host on Sunday as Liverpool look to defeat their London counterparts to win a first – and hopefully not last – piece of silverware this season.
Problem, the German manager has already confirmed that 23-year-old goalkeeper Caomihin Kelleher will be getting the nod between the sticks.
The Irishman has played three League Cup outings for Liverpool this season but has only managed four Premier League appearances throughout his career.
And Reds legend and Sky Sports pundit Carragher has admitted that he will just ‘never understand’ Klopp’s thinking on this decision.
He wrote in The Telegraph: “I will never understand the theory behind selecting a second-choice goalkeeper in a major final. Liverpool will play Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of Alisson Becker. Chelsea will do likewise if – as expected – Kepa Arrizabalaga starts ahead of Edouard Mendy.”
Calculated
There’s undeniably an element of risk from the Liverpool manager.
However, it’s a calculated decision.
Klopp wants Kelleher to stay at Liverpool long term and he’s on record as saying that playing Kelleher against Chelsea increases the likelyhood of him staying beyond this season.
It isn’t merely because Kelleher has played more Carabao Cup outings than Alisson this season.
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