After the international break, Arne Slot must make the difficult choice of whether to reinstate Alisson in Liverpool’s starting lineup. Since suffering a hamstring injury during the Reds’ victory over Crystal Palace on October 5, the Brazilian goalkeeper has been out.
With six victories and one draw from seven games, Liverpool has jumped five points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to Caoimhin Kelleher’s outstanding performances in goal during his absence. Kelleher has had an outstanding season, allowing only five goals in eight games while keeping four clean sheets.
He maintained his excellent play while playing for his country, winning man-of-the-match for the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 triumph over Finland last Thursday, which included a fantastic penalty save.
Slot has stated unequivocally that Alisson will take his place once he is healthy, regardless of Kelleher’s valiant efforts. Slot stressed over the weekend that “Alisson needs to get fit first.” That has always been Alisson’s stance, and I have always been very open about it. If healthy, he is and will be our first goalie.
However, he must first become in shape. However, Caoimh has performed admirably both this season and last, but Alisson will be our primary goalie as soon as he is healthy.
Caoimhin Kelleher’s development is being impeded, according to former Ireland forward Kevin Doyle, who said on RTE: “I think in five or six years he is going to be in the top one or two goalkeepers in the world.” He is that skilled in all that he does. Everything he owns is in the locker. He meets all the requirements. I think he’s going to be the top man if he can bring himself to play.
Following Kelleher’s failure to obtain a move away from Liverpool in the summer due to Nottingham Forest’s failure to reach the Reds’ £35 million value, Doyle made these remarks. The 25-year-old goalie has expressed his desire to play in the first squad regularly, whether at Liverpool or another team.
“I intend to do as well as I can and show my ability,” Kelleher recently acknowledged. “I’m thinking about the situation there. The best thing I can do is go play well and perhaps give the manager a headache or something to think about.”
Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was signed in the summer and loaned back to Valencia, is expected to arrive next summer, further complicating Kelleher’s predicament.
“I play football, and like any player, I want to play, so that was my mind process, but it has always been my thing. Sitting on the bench won’t make me happy or have any fun.”
