Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker will not be fit for the final Premier League Merseyside derby at Goodison Park tomorrow (12.30pm). The Reds face Everton away from home looking to get back to winning ways.
Slot's side drew 3-3 with Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday night with back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher making a critical mistake when Liverpool were minutes from a huge away win. That allowed Arsenal to narrow the gap to the league leaders from nine points seven.
But the Dutch coach has come out to defend Kelleher, pointing out that he also prevented Newcastle from going 2-0 up earlier in the game, and has confirmed the Irishman will start between the sticks at Goodison.
"It was at 1-0 when Joe Gomez made a mistake and he [Kelleher] saved us in that moment, so maybe he saved us a point because 2-0 down it's even harder," Slot said. "Unfortunately for Caoimh, in that position, if you make a mistake, it's harder for others to cover up for you.
"We, as a team, could not help him but he is in a good place. He is disappointed as we dropped points from a winning situation like all the other but he will have confidence. Alisson is not ready yet but will be soon."
Liverpool's last trip across Stanley Park ended in defeat in Jurgen Klopp's final derby. Despite having 77 per cent possession, the away team lost 2-0 and committed 13 fouls, with Everton's threat from set-pieces proving crucial.
Slot has warned his players they need to be smarter in the tackle this time around: "We have to be ready for a tough game, well managed side and the fans will be just as loud as Newcastle, maybe even louder. We have to be prepared.
"We need to be aggressive but in a smart way. Last season we went there, I watched it back yesterday, and 30 minutes into the first half I was surprised as Liverpool made 10 fouls and only one by Everton and we had the ball.
"They are a big threat, so wecan't give away free-kicks. That is not smart. So aggressive, yes, [but] in a smart, concentrated way. I think we want to be aggressive, on the front foot.
"We try to adjust to the other team's threat and where we feel we can hurt them. We have to be very aggressive, they work hard so if you want to talk about tactics, you have to match their work rate, which we have shown. We need that at Everton."
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