Liverpool star to make emotional FINAL appearance in Carabao Cup

Liverpool are in yet another Carabao Cup Final, just 12 months after they won their record-extending 10th last season.

On that fateful day, the Reds came up against Chelsea, whom they are matched up with on two prior occasions across the last three years, but just like those meetings, Liverpool ensured they came home with the trophy one way or another - through extra time and occasionally penalties to split the teams.

Liverpool Transfer News: Slot goes public as £60m star CHOOSES Reds

Nonetheless, the club eventually got across the line, and with a team that is almost identical to the one that was victorious last year, Arne Slot is in search of starting his time on Merseyside with some silverware to show for the team's efforts.

READ MORE: Why Liverpool will SHATTER their transfer record for Julian Alvarez

While the endeavours for success in the Champions League and FA Cup have been unsuccessful, it looks incredibly likely that the Premier League trophy will be back at Anfield when the season draws to an end.

One of the main reasons why it is possible that the club could be celebrating a double this year is Slot's management of the team, utilising the depth of the squad that he inherited, and for one player who is likely to feature today, it might be his last ever Liverpool appearance.

Kelleher to seal his Liverpool chapter with a trophy win?

Liverpool have often struggled with goalkeepers and it wasn't until Alisson Becker arrived at the club that stability returned.

But while the Brazilian has largely taken on the workload of being Liverpool's No. 1, a young keeper was promoted from the academy in Caoimhin Kelleher to act as his No. 2, and as Alisson's injury issues have become more regular in recent years, the Irishman has been given a real taste of regular first-team football.

Despite being in and out of the team, Kelleher has always delivered when the team has needed him, be it in big matches as Alisson's understudy, or in cup competitions where he is the first name the manager calls on.

In the 2022 Carabao Cup Final, Kelleher was in goal and oversaw the Reds' win in the penalty shootout against Chelsea, and in last year's cup final, he was in goal again, making precious saves to keep Chelsea out of the game across 120 minutes.

However, while he may well get the nod from Slot today, there is a piece of added context to his appearance, as Liverpool fans know this might be the last time we see him on a pitch for the Reds.

The confirmed transfer of Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer, who will join the club this summer, meant that one of Liverpool's goalkeepers would likely move on, and on the balance of probabilities, that player is likely to be Kelleher.

Alisson is still Liverpool's No. 1 and Mamardashvili's arrival would indefinitely have demoted Kelleher to No. 3, which is incredibly unfair for a player of his calibre.

During the international breaks in the first half of the season, he spoke at depth to the press about how much he wants to play regular first-team football and so a move away from the club is almost guaranteed when the summer transfer window opens.

He has loads of his career still to play, as he is only 26, but his willingness to sit on the sidelines as a team's No. 2 has worn thin, which is understandable.

READ MORE: Michael Edwards lining up DREAM double deal for Liverpool

However, Slot may rely on his services this afternoon given his experience in the competition, and while his future remains in doubt, it is important to appreciate Kelleher while he is still donning the Liverbird on his chest. What better way to see off your time at the club, than to win a third Carabao Cup.

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool line up club record bid for Julian Alvarez