Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has travelled with the Reds squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Girona.
The Brazilian goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury at the start of October against Crystal Palace and hasn’t played since.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper is expected to start for Liverpool tonight.
The goalkeeping situation at Liverpool is really interesting. Arne Slot has made it clear that Alisson is the first-choice keeper at the club, and he will continue in goal when he returns from injury.
Caoimhin Kelleher has deputised admirably in his absence, but he will have to make way for the Brazilian shot-stopper.
On top of that, Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer window. He is plying trade in La Liga on loan at Valencia but will join the Reds next summer.
It means the Reds will have to part ways with either one of their current goalkeepers.
The New York Times’ chief soccer correspondent, Rory Smith, believes it is possible that Liverpool will sell Alisson and keep Kelleher instead.
“It’s possible that Alisson is the goalkeeper that leaves Liverpool in the summer,” said Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
“I don’t have any reason to believe it will be, but I don’t think it would be ridiculous if Liverpool think Kelleher has everything needed to succeed him.
“Mamardashvili looks like he’s also an outstanding prospect, so maybe for a year they’ll do that awkward thing that Arsenal did with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale – where you have two and you have competition between them to establish who’s going to be number one.
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“But I don’t think it’s impossible that Liverpool will look at Alisson’s injury record, and the fact he’s on a lot of money, and they’ll think maybe it’s time for him to earn that money elsewhere.”
The counter-argument for keeping Alisson
Alisson is on £150k-per-week wages at the club and Smith has raised a valid argument.
However, there are opposite points as well. Alisson is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and he still has plenty of good years left in him.
Goalkeepers usually have a long career, and Alisson can easily play until his late 30s.
He has said before that he wants to stay at Anfield. He would probably accept the second-choice role behind Mamardashvili and can still play a lot of games.
Kelleher, on the other hand, is in his prime years. He simply cannot afford to waste time on the bench. He wants to play regularly and Liverpool cannot guarantee him that next season even if Alisson leaves.
He is a regular for the Republic of Ireland national team and should be playing regularly at club levels. Given his form in the past two years, he can join any top Premier League club.
Moreover, Michael Edwards will feel this is the best opportunity for the club to cash in on the Reds’ academy player on a high profit.
Liverpool spent a massive fee to buy Alisson from AS Roma, and they will never be able to recoup that. So, like Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah, it makes sense for Liverpool to get the best out of him as long as they can.
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Also, Slot will need senior players at the club who will guide the juniors coming through the ranks. Alisson is loved by everyone, and his presence at the club is vital for maintaining continuity.