Jurgen Klopp confirms Caoimhin Kelleher's Carabao Cup final involvement
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher will continue as Liverpool's first-choice Carabao Cup stopper after the Reds secured their place at Wembley with a spirited 1-1 second-leg draw at Craven Cottage.
Luis Diaz put the Reds in the driving seat in the first half and despite Issa Diop’s 76th-minute equaliser giving Fulham late hope, Kelleher and Liverpool sealed a 3-2 aggregate win after their 2-1 victory at Anfield earlier this month.
Kelleher has started each and every Carabao Cup tie this season, and that record will extend to the repeat of the 2022 final, which the Cork native starred in.
“Imagine that,” remarked Klopp, when it was mentioned to the German that Kelleher was expected to start at Wembley.
“Caoimh is a top, top goalie and when Ali is fit, then he doesn’t have a lot of games, I want to give him desperately the opportunity to play.
“This competition I told Ali before the season, two years ago actually…that’s how it works (it's Kelleher's competition).”
Kelleher has been linked with a move away from Liverpool for some time, given his apparent readiness for first-team football within the Premier League, while it is thought that Celtic also hold a firm interest.
"He's not smiling a lot, at least when I'm around," Klopp added. "But after the game, I could see he was really happy about qualifying again and having the chance again to win another trophy in his career. It would be a big one."
Klopp lauded his side’s spirit in the late stages on Wednesday night as they now ready themselves for a repeat of the 2022 final against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
“We were just ready for this game and that’s the most important thing. I saw Marco Silva’s press conference and we know what this
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