Alisson is a shock omission from Liverpool's squad against Tottenham Hotspur, but the decision is not due to injury.
The Brazilian has instead been given the night off as Arne Slot choses to rest his goalkeeper in the midst of a busy run of fixtures. The Liverpool boss opted to start with Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks for Liverpool, with Vitezslav Jaros named on the bench.
That is perhaps not a surprising decision, with Kelleher a regular choice in the cup competitions under Slot and his predecessor Jurgen Klopp. There was doubt coming into the game, however, given Alisson played in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg four weeks ago.
READ MORE: Liverpool predicted line-up vs Tottenham with Arne Slot to make Andy Robertson decision
READ MORE: Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher disagree on Liverpool vs Spurs outcome
It's understood that was due to Alisson needing minutes as he recovered from an injury absence, and the plan was always for Kelleher to play in the second leg, even if Slot was giving little away in Wednesday's press conference.
"I know [my decision] but the two goalkeepers don’t know yet," the Dutchman replied when asked who would start between the sticks. "I’m going to leave this room and go to the media next door, and afterwards I’m going to inform the goalkeepers which decision I’ve made.”
Elsewhere, Slot also opted to rest Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz against Spurs, with both dropping to the bench, while Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out through injury. Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez come into the team, along with Kelleher.
The Irishman starts behind a back four of Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. It's an attacking midfield with Ryan Gravenberch joined by Dominik Szoboszlia and Jones. Up front, it's Mohamed Salah, Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
Joe Gomez misses out on the squad once again, but there is a place for Federico Chiesa after he was not named in the squad at Bournemouth on Saturday.
As for Spurs, they hand a debut to Kevin Danso, who joined on loan from Lens last weekend. It's a starting XI of Antonin Kinsky, Archie Gray, Danso, Ben Davies, Djed Spence; Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Heung-min Son.
Deadline-day arrival Mathys Tel is on the bench for Ange Postecoglou's injury-ravaged side, with 10 players missing for Spurs.
It's Tottenham who leads 1-0 ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. The winners at Anfield know it will face Newcastle United in the final next month after it dumped Arsenal out of the competition on Wednesday night.
