'There's a good chance': Klopp says Liverpool player with 'no weakness' could make his Carabao Cup debut tonight

By Shamanth Jayaram

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Alisson Becker could make his Carabao Cup debut against Arsenal tonight.

The Brazilian has missed each of Liverpool’s last two fixtures after testing positive for COVID-19.

Caoimhin Kelleher has filled in between the sticks in Alisson’s absence and even though the Brazilian is now back in contention, many Liverpool fans felt that he would have to wait for the Premier League game this weekend to get back into the side.

However, Klopp revealed in his press conference yesterday that Alisson, who has never played in the Carabao Cup before, could come straight back into the team to face Arsenal in the semi-final at Anfield this evening.

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Jurgen Klopp: Alisson could start against Arsenal tonight

Quizzed about the goalkeeping situation, Klopp said, as per Liverpool’s official website: “Caoimh is the goalkeeper for this competition but there is a chance Ali will play tomorrow just because of the situation we were in.

“I think he needs the game now. We will see how we decide it finally but there is a good chance that Ali will play tomorrow just because of the situation with COVID and everything, when he was out.

“We all need to make sure the boys have as much rhythm as they can get. So there’s a good chance Ali will start tomorrow. But the competition is actually Caoimh’s competition, that’s true.”

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Kelleher has been a hero for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup this season and it would’ve been tough for Arsenal to get the better of him.

With Alisson, labelled as a player with ‘no weakness’ by Vitezslav Jaros, now set to start, things become even more difficult for the Gunners, who have an awful record at Anfield anyway.

The game tonight will be a really interesting one. Liverpool are without two of their best players while Arsenal barely have a midfield. Even without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool definitely are the favourites and Alisson’s return gives them an even bigger boost.

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