Paul Merson has suggested that Arne Slot should consider benching Diogo Jota and Alisson for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final showdown with Newcastle United. The Reds are set to face the Magpies at Wembley on Sunday, aiming to secure their first trophy under Slot’s reign.
Liverpool was on track for a sensational treble until it was knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in a penalty shootout on Wednesday. Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero for the French outfit, who clinched the tie 4-1 on penalties.
Slot will be keen to ensure his squad isn’t still reeling from that midweek defeat, and Merson thinks a few changes could rejuvenate the starting line-up this week.
“Darwin Nunez missed his penalty against PSG in the shootout, but I would still want him to start this game against Newcastle,” Merson shared with Sportskeeda. “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.
“I doubt he will get a chance after the penalty miss, but he’s a menace inside the box and no defender wants to play against him in a final like this!
“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.”
