25 Feb 2022 18:44:05
So, according to several reports, Kelleher will be starting the final on Sunday against Chelsea.

If you select your team purely on merit, then Kelleher definitely deserves to be there, given how he's performed in the Carabao thus far (along with Taki) .

And if you select your team according to ability then it is obviously Alisson who should be playing.

My view is that you should always go with ability, but I will go along with Klopp's choice and decision. Maybe there are noises in the dressing room about Kelleher moving if his game time and responsibilities are not raised; this would address that issue at least for some time. I just hope the decision doesn't bite Klopp in the backside, and we'll then have to hear the regular refrain about him not taking domestic cups seriously.

What do you think?

25 Feb 2022 19:00:52
Klopp said the other month that kelleher would play the final. The kid has never let us down and deserves the opportunity.

25 Feb 2022 19:01:18
And this logic goes begging for the likes of Minamino who has scored the most number of goals in this tournament.
Would you play him? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

25 Feb 2022 19:02:08
Aray I was actually thinking about this earlier. I have no issues with Kelleher starting in goal but the reason he is would be because of his performances in the League cup. But if the same was to be applied throughout the squad then surely that would mean Mino would start ahead of Diaz.

I can see it being our strongest possible outfield side and then Kelleher in goal who is a very competent keeper. Does this mean the writing is on the wall for Mino as I can only really see him getting FA cup minutes now, that is until we get to the semi where he will probably get replaced by the big guns.

25 Feb 2022 19:07:15
I think let's not read too much into this. Unless Kelleher blunders to the proportions of Karius, winning or losing the final won't hinge on just one player. This is his chance to show that he is a top class goal keeper, and the rest of the team should do their bit to make sure he is protected and enough goals are scored to win the match.

25 Feb 2022 19:09:32
If Kelleher doesn't get to play any games why would he stay. We want to have a decent back up for Allison.
Kelleher was told he would be keeper for this cup and has already played against Chelsea so let's get behind him and the team.

25 Feb 2022 19:15:10
Klopp wants Kelleher to stay next season, so he will play. For me he deserves to play.

25 Feb 2022 19:28:14
Play kelleher and mini it’s the carabao cup I really couldn’t care less.

{Ed025's Note - a trophy is a trophy ace, you never know things pan out and it could be your only one, i would still play kellegher but mini is just not up to it imo mate..

25 Feb 2022 19:41:53
If we want to keep Kelleher he better get some games, and not only round 3-4 in the cups. He has done really well, is a real talent and for me this is a correct call.

In a season or two the club needs to decide to either let him fight Ali for the spot or sell him, but until then he is as good a backup as we could wish for.

25 Feb 2022 20:08:51
I'd absolutely play Minamino in the final, but I'm not Klopp so I don't know. But I will have no qualms playing Minamino on Sunday. If it doesn't work out, too bad, but if it works, can you imagine how much that would impact Minamino's confidence?

25 Feb 2022 20:15:09
It is a very silly comparison because Minamino gets a chance to play in the league and cup games even if it’s just coming on as a sub the same can’t be said for Kelleher unless Becker is injured and keepers don’t get injured as much as outfield players.

25 Feb 2022 20:16:18
Says a lot about the kids character that Klopp and Co have no problem dropping him in for a cup final considering he hasn't played a game since the Cardiff game on the 6th of February. That's good enough for me.

25 Feb 2022 20:24:27
I have always been of the belief that the team selected in the final should be required to have been selected in previous rounds.

I always thought it was BS that bigger clubs, that had no respect/ care for the competition, let their kids and backups get them to the final - and then suddenly it is important and they send out the big dogs.

The players that got them there should play and come what may.

25 Feb 2022 20:34:27
I like Mino and would loved to have see him do well but his seasons minutes don’t look great.

86 mins of league football spread over 10 games. All of this whilst

Salah was away for 2 games Afcon
Mane was away for 3 games Afcon
Bobby has missed 11 league games through injuries
Jota has missed 2 games through injury
Origi has missed 14 games.

Yet he couldn’t get more minutes with all of the above. and now we have Diaz in the equation.

Kelleher has played 180 mins of league football just for comparison.

25 Feb 2022 20:48:23
Jurgen Klopp:

“I will not wear a suit but not because I am superstitious. If I look back on pictures after the Madrid final and how I look there – bad shave, hat – I couldn’t care less. I could stand there in swim shorts – as long as we win people will be happy. ”

🤣🤣 brilliant.

25 Feb 2022 20:51:54
I think reasoning behind playing kelleher is that he is top quality goalkeeper. any other era he would be no.1. Can see arguments for and against but as last few weeks have shown it's the quality of squad u have that counts when looking 2 win lots of trophies, and for that we need 2 keep our so-called 2nd string motivated. Which means chance of playing in big games.

25 Feb 2022 20:56:18
There are only four trophies available I really don't get the attitude towards the league Cup.

Yes its the lowest trophy of the lot but we should still want to win it and be proud if they do.

Trophies create memories let's not qct like we are above it just because we are lucky enough to be competing for the other honours.

As for kelleher it's a team game and was told its his tournament. and he's done nothing to suggest he isn't up to it. It may backfire but imagine how he feels that klopp backs him for a final at Wembley!

{Ed025's Note - im with you WYred, its a trophy and a great day out for the fans, i will be out cheering on the reds be it only in the pub...any excuse for me mate.. :)

25 Feb 2022 22:03:03
Why would picking the players that got us to the final suggest that we don’t want to win the final?

I’ve been reading for days that we have the strongest squad that anyone can remember (which I think is true) but it seems that just below the surface there are still doubts about the squad.

Trust the manager and coaching staff to pick the right team and subs and enjoy the day.

25 Feb 2022 23:09:57
Klopp has said all along that the Carabau is Kelleher’s competition. He’d look pretty silly not to mention untrustworthy to the players if he changed that now.
Why do people feel the need to question everything there really is nothing to see here.
Kelleher will play, we will win and it’ll be another great progression for his career.

25 Feb 2022 23:29:49
We have a great squad but even in the squad there will be a pecking order and drop off of quality. Having 2 of Bobby, Jota and Diaz on the bench is of a higher quality than that of Origi and Mino on there. For one of them to start the final would weaken the starting 11 for me.

That’s just my opinion though. But if you look at how Klopp rates the forwards Diaz has had more premier league minutes this season in the 3 and a bit weeks he has been here over Mino and Origi combined this season.

26 Feb 2022 01:10:16
I think for this cup, it is a mix of both.

26 Feb 2022 01:47:29
I remember Arsene Wenger having a similar decision to make after he'd promised a squad player a place in the League Cup side. When they got to the final, when asked who he'd play, he said his integrity was more important than a trophy.
I think he was right.

26 Feb 2022 04:09:51
Kelleher is a better long term prospect than taki. that's why he starts. If allison were to leave tomorrow kelleher slides in. If salah mane or bobby were to leave we sign a new starter. that's the difference. Pecking order in all clubs. Nothing new here.

26 Feb 2022 06:20:12
Backup goalie is a uniquely weird and horrible position to occupy as a player. Almost all top clubs now give their cup games to their backup goalie, if they have one that is half decent. That’s the only way you keep them sweet and maintain a good squad. It isn’t abnormal and it isn’t rocket science. Kelleher deserves it and will be be backed by his comrades on the pitch and in the stands alike. It is not comparable to Minamino at all. I don’t understand why this is a talking point.

26 Feb 2022 08:14:47
A final, give yourself the best chance of winning. Its a top team were playing so Taki can't start.

26 Feb 2022 08:59:36
How'd Arsenal do in that final Rigsby?

26 Feb 2022 09:14:12
OP, Klopp said this right after the Arsenal semi final. Kelleher has earned his spot and I have no doubt he will get it done. As for the lineup, if Chelsea are playing their best lineup then why should we do the opposite? I don’t get it.

26 Feb 2022 13:06:14
I can't remember, Jadon.
It says something that I remember him saying that but not the result, eh?
Maybe Wenger's career is more defined by his integrity than the result of one final.

26 Feb 2022 13:11:04
Acered I hate that attitude, yes we all want pl and cl titles, but you cannot pick and choose what you win. At the end of the day teams are judged on trophies, I really want us to win this and every trophy is important. It may be the least important trophy on offer but it is still major silverware, breeds winning mentality and for some of our players will be their first trophy with us. It will also help bond the the team so to suggest you don’t care would suggest you’re not a supporter?