Arne Slot Confirms Caoimhin Kelleher Will Start Against Southampton in Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Wednesday night at St Mary’s.
As Liverpool navigates a busy Premier League schedule to stay atop the table, Slot plans to rotate his squad for the cup match. One confirmed change is that Kelleher will replace Alisson Becker in goal, as the Brazilian will be rested after recently recovering from a two-month injury absence.
Slot Confirms Kelleher’s Role
During his pre-match press conference, Slot was asked if Kelleher would play against Southampton. He responded clearly: “Yes, we can.”
The 46-year-old manager explained, “Unfortunately for us, due to Alisson’s injury, but good for Caoimhin, he has already had a lot of playing time. Compared to some other players, he has had more minutes, so he can look back at the first half of the season positively.”
Slot also praised Kelleher, saying, “We are fortunate to have such a great backup goalkeeper who can step up and perform whenever we need him.”
Kelleher’s Reliability in Domestic Cup Competitions
Kelleher has become a dependable option for domestic cup games in recent years, and with Alisson fully recovered, it was expected that the Cork-born goalkeeper would return for this competition. During Alisson’s absence, Kelleher gained significant playing time, impressing many with his performances. Some even suggested Kelleher should keep his starting spot despite Alisson’s recovery.
However, Slot has been open about the club’s goalkeeping hierarchy, with Alisson firmly the first-choice goalkeeper. For now, Kelleher’s opportunities are mainly limited to cup matches or in case of an injury to Alisson.
Uncertain Future at Liverpool
Kelleher’s national team coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, has publicly advised the goalkeeper to consider a move if he continues to struggle for regular playing time at Liverpool. The competition for the No. 1 spot could intensify next summer with the potential arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, making Kelleher’s future at the club more uncertain.
There is speculation that Kelleher may be nearing the end of his Liverpool career, making appearances like Wednesday’s even more significant. Liverpool supporters will no doubt value his contributions while he remains at Anfield, knowing the team is in capable hands against Southampton.
Kelleher’s Legacy at Anfield
Kelleher has established himself as a reliable backup to Alisson, often stepping up in crucial moments, especially in cup competitions. While his long-term future at Liverpool remains unclear, his performances have made a lasting impression on fans.
As Liverpool prepares for the quarter-final, it’s clear that Kelleher’s presence in goal ensures the team won’t be weakened against Southampton. Regardless of what the future holds for the 26-year-old, his contributions to Liverpool have been significant, and supporters will undoubtedly appreciate his efforts while he’s still at the club.
