Caoimhín Kelleher has been chosen to start for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, with Diogo Jota leading the line at Wembley as Arne Slot makes bold selection calls for the showpiece event.

Kelleher has featured in every match of Liverpool’s League Cup campaign except one—the first-leg semi-final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in January—when Slot opted for first-choice Alisson Becker, who was recovering from a hamstring injury.

Despite remaining tight-lipped about his selection in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Slot has now confirmed his faith in Kelleher, who starts ahead of Alisson against Newcastle United. The Republic of Ireland international makes his first appearance since Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle last month.

At the other end of the pitch, Jota is preferred to lead the attack over Darwin Núñez, as Liverpool look to recover from Tuesday night’s Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Defensive and Midfield Selections

As expected, Jarell Quansah replaces the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, who suffered a knock during Tuesday’s penalty shootout defeat. However, Ibrahima Konaté has been passed fit to start alongside Virgil van Dijk after being withdrawn with cramp against PSG.

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will play deeper, supporting Dominik Szoboszlai, while Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, and Harvey Elliott wait in reserve should they be needed at Wembley.

Attacking Choices and Newcastle’s Line-Up

Cody Gakpo is among the substitutes, with Luis Díaz preferred to start over the Dutch forward, who has only recently returned from an ankle injury sustained in last month’s Premier League draw with Everton.

For Newcastle, Harvey Barnes steps in for the suspended Anthony Gordon on the left side of the attack, with Alexander Isak leading the line for Eddie Howe’s side.

Liverpool, who last won this competition 13 months ago, could claim their 11th League Cup title should they emerge victorious this afternoon.

Confirmed Line-Ups:

Liverpool XI:

Kelleher; Quansah, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Díaz; Jota.

Substitutes: Alisson, Endo, Núñez, Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Jones, McConnell.

Newcastle XI:

Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimarães; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.

Substitutes: Dúbravka, Wilson, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Milley, Neave.