Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise for Alisson with high quality that defies his No. 2 tag, however Arne Slot made the pecking order abundantly clear after his facet’s newest victory.
Alisson‘s hamstring damage has stored him sidelined for the final seven matches, and there’s no assure the Brazilian will have the ability to return instantly after the worldwide break.
Normally, when your world-class No. 1 is unavailable it’s abundantly clear. However it’s a credit score to Kelleher that he can function at an elite degree to minimise Alisson‘s absence.
When the handover will happen is but to be decided, however Slot left no doubts over the goalkeeper place when requested by reporters about his plan for the function after Saturday’s 2-0 win.
He mentioned: “To begin with, Alisson must turn into match and I’ve all the time been fairly clear and that’s all the time been the place of Alisson that he’s, and can be, our first goalkeeper if he’s match.
“However, due to this fact, he first must be match, however Caoimhin has completed excellent final season and this season once more as nicely.
“However the second Alisson can be match, he can be our first goalkeeper.”
It won’t be what Kelleher needs to listen to, as he’s actually completed sufficient to at the least make Slot assume twice, however he’ll know it’s the function he has at Liverpool.
It doesn’t imply the 25-year-old has to love the No. 2 tag, although, as he just lately mentioned: “It’s in all probability not a tag I would like. I wish to be enjoying week in, week out and be that No. 1.
“In the meanwhile, the scenario for me is I’ll get these alternatives and I must do nicely once I do get the alternatives and play nicely.”
A summer season departure appears to be like nailed on for Kelleher along with his profession ambitions in thoughts and the latest signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili. Different Premier League golf equipment could be loopy to not signal him up.
When will Alisson return?
The Brazilian has been sidelined since October 20, and ‘after the November worldwide break’ was shortly signposted as once we would subsequent see him in motion.
Halfway by way of final month, Slot even hinted he could possibly be out for longer than first anticipated by saying he expects “Ali to be again earlier than Christmas.”
He has but to return to coaching however, hopefully, we are going to know extra about the place we stand along with his return date sooner or later throughout the ultimate break of 2024.
