Carabao Cup - Liv v Ful - Wed 8pm - Sky

[Norbs]

Starting Kelleher is madness.

Didn't harm us in the last League Cup final

[Rich]

Gotta go with our strongest team but I'm "ok" with Kelleher in goal. I think trust would be broken if we were pop Becker back in.

[Craig_H]

Didn't harm us in the last League Cup final

Biscan and Traore didn’t stop us winning in Istanbul. Doesn’t mean that’s the sort of level of player I want starting for us now.

Of course we could win with Kelleher. We probably will. But it’s a fact that starting him reduces our chances. Nobody’s been able to tell me why reducing our chances of winning silverware is a good idea.

[Pablo]

Biscan and Traore didn’t stop us winning in Istanbul. Doesn’t mean that’s the sort of level of player I want starting for us now.

Of course we could win with Kelleher. We probably will. But it’s a fact that starting him reduces our chances. Nobody’s been able to tell me why reducing our chances of winning silverware is a good idea.

Well as alluded to earlier I think it is about integrity and trust. Keeping a promise made, helping squad unity and keeping everyone in the dressing room happy and motivated.

A happy and motivated squad wins silverware.

[Fierce]

Well as alluded to earlier I think it is about integrity and trust. Keeping a promise made, helping squad unity and keeping everyone in the dressing room happy and motivated.

A happy and motivated squad wins silverware.

[Craig_H]

Well as alluded to earlier I think it is about integrity and trust. Keeping a promise made, helping squad unity and keeping everyone in the dressing room happy and motivated.

A happy and motivated squad wins silverware.

There’s a balance to be had. I’m not devaluing what you’ve said. At the same time, players will understand that things sometimes change (eg, we have loads of injuries which are going to weaken our side tonight and to try to counter that a little, we’re opting to pick our first choice keeper).

At the same time, Kelleher is likely to leave in the next 12-18 months anyway. So the value of keeping him sweet is diminishing returns, for me.

[Rich]

Well as alluded to earlier I think it is about integrity and trust. Keeping a promise made, helping squad unity and keeping everyone in the dressing room happy and motivated.

A happy and motivated squad wins silverware.

No doubt about it. One of the absolute keys things that Klopp will be ALL over.

If he's said League Cup games are for Kelleher then he's got to stick to that.

[Craig_H]

No doubt about it. One of the absolute keys things that Klopp will be ALL over.

If he's said League Cup games are for Kelleher then he's got to stick to that.

I get that point. It’s something to weigh up against the value of happiness that comes from winning medals too.

In an additional point, I’m not convinced by the wisdom of making promises of any absolute nature at the start of the season when you have no idea what variables are forthcoming. It puts your back against the wall and leaves you no room for manoeuver, which is unnecessarily risky.

[rudedog]

I get that point. It’s something to weigh up against the value of happiness that comes from winning medals too.

In an additional point, I’m not convinced by the wisdom of making promises of any absolute nature at the start of the season when you have no idea what variables are forthcoming. It puts your back against the wall and leaves you no room for manoeuver, which is unnecessarily risky.

Yeah well your not a successful footballer manager and your opinion has no bearing on the choices an actual successful footballer manager will make

I think it’s important that Keheller gets these games as he needs to retain some match sharpness - who knows when he might actually be needed to step in for an injury to Ali.

[Mark79]

There’s a balance to be had. I’m not devaluing what you’ve said. At the same time, players will understand that things sometimes change (eg, we have loads of injuries which are going to weaken our side tonight and to try to counter that a little, we’re opting to pick our first choice keeper).

At the same time, Kelleher is likely to leave in the next 12-18 months anyway. So the value of keeping him sweet is diminishing returns, for me.

It doesn’t end with Kelleher though, we’re going to want someone else to be happy to be no.2 after him. Keeping guarantees about getting games is important.

[The_weatherman]

No qualms about Kelleher starting for me, he's been valuable for us, in terms of being decent and also a homegrown option. IF we get past Fulham I'd start him in the final too.

[Paul12]

I think Beck will start, as well as Bradley and Quansah. It is not so much about resting established players as giving inexperienced players experience.

[The_weatherman]

I think they might get minutes, but we have a long break now, so I can us going strong, if things go well Beck might get minutes.

But tbh, I'm not really counting Quansah with the kids...I'd be fine with him and another in defense.

[Craig_H]

Yeah well your not a successful footballer manager and your opinion has no bearing on the choices an actual successful footballer manager will make

We’d best shut the forums down then!

I think it’s important that Keheller gets these games as he needs to retain some match sharpness - who knows when he might actually be needed to step in for an injury to Ali.

I don’t disagree with that view, it carries legitimate value. I’d just place the value of giving ourselves the best chance of winning, slightly above it, that’s all. If others have different priorities, that’s ok.

[Craig_H]

It doesn’t end with Kelleher though, we’re going to want someone else to be happy to be no.2 after him. Keeping guarantees about getting games is important.

It is important, I agree. I don’t think it’s more important than giving us the best chance of winning though. But as I’ve said, I personally wouldn’t be making these cast iron promises either. But meh.

Let’s hope we smash them 5-0 and the choice of keeper ends up being of no significance.