Alisson Becker’s imminent return from injury means Caoimhin Kelleher’s latest run in the Liverpool first team could be over.
The 25-year-old has been excellent for the Reds in the past few weeks – and put in a man-of-the-match performance as the Republic of Ireland beat Finland 1-0 on Thursday.
He saved Joel Pohjanpalo’s penalty and kept out Robin Lod’s follow-up in the Nations League win at Aviva Stadium.
Afterwards, former Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle 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’s that good at everything he does. He has got everything in the locker. He ticks every box. If he can get himself playing I feel he’s going to be the top man.”
Kelleher is often called the best back-up keeper in the world – and nearly always performs when he gets his chance.
He has only conceded five goals in his eight games for Arne Slot’s Liverpool side this season.
But if Alisson stays injury-free for the rest of the season, Kelleher is likely to have just a handful of Carabao Cup and FA Cup games.
And with Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili joining next summer, Kelleher might not even be second choice if he stays.
Alisson sustained a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace on 5 October and has not played since.
The Brazilian, 32, has been Liverpool’s number one since his £66.8m move from Roma in 2018 – playing 271 times and winning the Champions League and Premier League.
At another club, against another goalkeeper, Kelleher might have hoped four clean sheets in eight games would be enough to keep his place.
But Liverpool boss Slot has made it perfectly clear that is not an option.
“Alisson is, and will be, our first goalkeeper if he is fit,” Slot said after Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa – in which Kelleher made some fantastic saves.
“Caoimhin has done outstanding last season and this season again as well. But the moment Alisson will be fit he will be our first goalkeeper.”
However, Liverpool legend John Aldridge, writing in a Liverpool Echo column, does not think it should be such a straightforward decision.
“Caoimhin Kelleher has been magnificent and I actually think Arne Slot has got a really big decision to make in the next few weeks. Once Alisson is fit, I don’t think it’s fair if Kelleher gets demoted to the bench,” said the former Republic of Ireland striker.
“I think he’s been absolutely first-class. He’s been faultless with everything he has done in the games, and I think [Alisson] will be looking at it and be embarrassed if he went back in because he’s done such a good job.”
But Slot’s quotes tell us that decision has already been made.
