---
title: "Opinion: Jurgen Klopp should choose experience over excitement for CC final"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/opinion-jurgen-klopp-should-choose-experience-over-excitement-for-cc-final/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2022-02-27T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-02-27T07:00:00Z"
---

# Opinion: Jurgen Klopp should choose experience over excitement for CC final

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2022/02/26/opinion-jude-bellingham-should-be-the-next-transformational-signing-at-liverpool/) manager Jurgen Klopp has already confirmed backup goalkeeper [Caoimhin Kelleher](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2022/01/05/paul-robinson-hails-top-quality-liverpool-goalkeeper-caoimhin-kelleher/) will start the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.

However, despite the talented Irishman being given a [show of faith](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/theres-no-chance-of-him-not-playing-jurgen-klopp-confirms-exceptional-caoimhin-kelleher-will-start-against-chelsea-41381786.html) for the showpiece event at Wembley, Klopp may opt for a more experienced lineup elsewhere.

Having previously fielded a mixture of [youth and rotated squad players](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/confirmed-liverpool-line-v-leicester-city#:~:text=Liverpool%3A%20Kelleher%2C%20Bradley%2C%20Koumetio,%2C%20Beck%2C%20Quansah%2C%20Woltman.) to reach this stage, the German has some big calls to make against a well-drilled Chelsea outfit.

Perhaps the biggest discussion will come over who should be given the nod in midfield, with Fabinho all but a shoo-in, there are at least [six players](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team) vying for the two remaining spaces.

Previously Klopp has [turned to at least one of Harvey Elliott](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1494033909813854209), Naby Keita, Curtis Jones or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to offer additional dynamism in the midfield, but this occasion calls for a more ‘been there and done it’ selection.

> A [#UCL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) debut for this man tonight 😁[#INTLIV](https://twitter.com/hashtag/INTLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/se37eO4o9I](https://t.co/se37eO4o9I)
>
> — Liverpool FC (@LFC) [February 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1494033909813854209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has amassed [518 career outings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-henderson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/61651) and taken the Reds to Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup glory.

Meanwhile, Thiago boasts a glittering, [trophy-laden career](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/thiago/erfolge/spieler/60444) as well as winning a plethora of individual awards along the way. Including being named [Man of the Match](https://twitter.com/whoscored/status/1306518362990825473) for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final victory in 2019/20.

That big game expereince could prove pivotal to lift ensure we see the shuffle…

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Coming out on top of the [midfield battle](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/andres-iniesta-how-boss-midfield) can be so important to win any game, let alone a final.

Fielding a trio of Fabinho, Henderson and Thiago gives Liverpool the ideal balance and the upper hand against the [likes of](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-xi-vs-liverpool-predicted-lineup-confirmed-team-news-injury-latest-carabao-cup-final-2022-b984694.html) N’Golo Kane, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount or Jorginho.

Plus, should the game call for an injection of pace or creativity with [five substitutes in normal time](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58929430) to use, introducing Elliott, Keita, Jones or indeed Oxlade-Chamberlain from the bench could be a masterstroke.

**Predicted XI**: Caoimhin Kelleher; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Thiago; Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane.

**Subs**: Alisson, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi, James Milner.