Paul Merson urges Arne Slot to drop two Liverpool stars for Carabao Cup final
Arne Slot faces several selection dilemmas when Liverpool face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
The Reds are looking to secure their first trophy of the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield in the Wembley showdown on 16 March.
They will have to do so without Trent Alexander-Arnold after the England star was ruled out by Slot after suffering an injury against PSG.
However, Ibrahima Konate is expected to be fit for the clash with Eddie Howe’s side.
Diogo Jota and Alisson could be dropped
Paul Merson has claimed that Slot should drop Diogo Jota and Alisson for the contest as he seeks to win his first trophy in his first season on Merseyside.
In his Carabao Cup final preview for Sportskeeda (13 March), he said: “Darwin Nunez missed his penalty against PSG in the shootout, but I would still want him to start this game against Newcastle, he is someone who always creates problems for defenders.
“If I’m Dan Burn or Fabian Schar, I want to play against Diogo Jota on Sunday. Jota is someone who likes to drop deep, whereas Nunez would work those center-halves a lot more by constantly engaging with them.
“Another big selection call Liverpool must make is with respect to its goalkeeper. Caoimhin Kelleher is probably the best No.2 in the world right now and has been incredible in cup games for Liverpool.
“Alisson is in fine form as well like we all know. I think Arne Slot will go with Kelleher here. And rightly so, he shouldn’t leave the kid out after relying on him all throughout this competition. It’s not even a gamble because Kelleher has proven himself more than once in the past.”
Nunez and Kelleher to start against Newcastle
It would not be a surprise if Slot made the exact decisions that Merson has called on him to make for the final as the Merseysiders seek to win a second successive Carabao Cup trophy.
Kelleher has stepped up to the plate in several finals for the Reds before and also did so earlier this season in the Premier League when Alisson was injured and has featured in all but one of the matches in the competition so far.
| Stats (last 14) | Jota | Nunez |
| Goals | 3 | 3 |
| Assists | 1 | 2 |
Meanwhile, Jota looks a shadow of his former self since returning from injury and despite Nunez missing a crucial penalty in the shootout loss to PSG, he offers a lot more and should start on Sunday.
The Uruguayan will constantly harass the Magpies’ defence and cause problems with his pacey runs in behind, something which cannot be said for the Portugal international at the moment, who is struggling desperately when called upon to lead the line.
Slot’s starting line-up could be the difference between the Reds winning just one trophy or a double in his first campaign in English football, he needs to get it right and make the tough calls.
If he fails to do so, the Reds may have to settle for just the Premier League title, if they can hold on to their comfortable advantage over Arsenal.