Jamie Carragher eats his words but Liverpool handed major summer transfer dilemma

Jamie Carragher will know what’s be coming.

The Kop legend will expect everyone to batter him with told you so's - and he must eat his words.

Maybe Carragher's comments won't be as infamous as fellow Liverpool legend Alan Hansen's "You win nothing with kids" prediction about Manchester United.

But still, Carragher won't live this one down.

What Carragher said

“I will never understand the theory behind selecting a second-choice goalkeeper in a major final,” wrote Carragher in the Daily Telegraph ahead of the Carabao Cup final.

“Kelleher has done well when called upon, playing a big part in Liverpool getting to Wembley.

“It is more the principle of leaving a world-class keeper on the bench I struggle with, especially in a final where small details make all the difference. This cup final logic only seems to apply to keepers.”

Well, the Carabao Cup final did come down to fine details. It came down to the finest of margins.

And Kelleher was impeccable. The 23-year-old was Liverpool's hero and his name is now etched into Anfield folklore.

Kelleher the hero

In just his 17th senior appearance, Kelleher proved the Reds' hero in their triumph over Chelsea.

A reason why Jurgen Klopp's men stayed in the enthralling Wembley showpiece was because of the Irishman.

He was immaculate throughout the 120 minutes. His save from Christian Pulisic in just the seventh minute was top-drawer.

The way he thwarted Romelu Lukaku in stoppage-time was as good.

The manner he came off his line to persistently collect or punch clear was authoritative.

And his penalty in the shootout which proved decisive? Put away with aplomb to pile.

It then piled the pressure on counterpart Kepa Arrizabalaga, who skied over to ensure Liverpool were crowned champions.

If someone had been dropped to earth and been told Kelleher was Alisson Becker, Reds No.1 and one of the best in the world, they wouldn't have known better.

Some called it a gamble from Klopp. But his judgement again proved sage - and correct.

The Liverpool boss stuck with Kelleher as reward for his work in the earlier rounds.

It would have been Klopp's prerogative to have played Alisson. After all, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane hadn't even played a minute in the competition this season. Luis Diaz wasn't a Liverpool player when they beat Arsenal in the semi-finals. Yet they all started.

But Klopp's loyalty got its rewards.

Future dilemma

However, what Kelleher's coming-of-age performance has given the Reds is a future transfer dilemma.

How long, realistically, can they keep the burgeoning stopper remain at Anfield?

Alisson is nowhere near coming into his twilight years and is firmly first choice.

Kelleher will want to play regularly somewhere down the line. Although he'll enjoy this evening and beyond, the Carabao Cup victory is likely to prove a catalyst for making that decision.

There's been talking of loans to Ipswich and Preston in the past. He's far better than League One and Championship level.

Kelleher, already, is a top-flight performer.

There will be more games for the Cork-born keeper in the FA Cup, with Norwich visiting on Wednesday in the fifth round.

But come the summer, there could be a conversation Klopp's been dreading with Kelleher.

He could request to leave to fulfil his ambition of playing week in, week out.

Mind you, his valuation has just sky-rocketed if that is the case after repelling the European champions.