Caoimhín Kelleher is in line to take the field in his first cup final as a Liverpool player as the Reds breezed past Arsenal to set up a Caraboa Cup showdown with Chelsea.
The 23-year-old made way for Alisson in the first leg of the semi-final, a scoreless draw at Anfield, but was restored by Jurgen Klopp for the decisive second leg.
Diogo Jota scored a goal in either half for a Liverpool side shorn of Sadio Mané and Mo Salah, who are competing at AFCON.
Thomas Partey, who only returned on Thursday afternoon following Ghana’s elimination, made a surprise appearance from the bench before being sent off late on.
Kelleher made a decisive save in the early moments as he spectacularly tipped Alexandre Lacazette’s top corner-bound free kick onto the bar.
He had little else of note to do, however, as Liverpool began to control things and led through Jota’s 19th minute strike before the Portuguese sealed it 13 minutes from time.
Liverpool can win the league cup for a record ninth time should they overcome Thomas Tuchel’s side in London when they meet on February 27th.
Kelleher was an unused substitute when the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2019.
Now the Corkman is set to take his place between the sticks at Wembley in the final of what Klopp dubbed ‘Caoimh’s competition’ after the first leg.
Kelleher had deputised for number one Alisson while the Brazilian was out with Covid-19 - starting with a 2-2 league draw with Chelsea - before making way for the first leg.
It very much has been the Irish international’s cup this year as he produced vital saves in penalty shootouts to see off Norwich City and Leicester City in the earlier rounds.
