Premier League goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel said that he felt sympathy for Caoimhin Kelleher after Alisson was restored to the Liverpool line-up against Girona.
Alisson was sidelined for over two months with a hamstring injury he sustained at the beginning of October, with Kelleher appearing in 10 of the 11 Liverpool matches that the Brazilian missed.
Kelleher has proved himself to be a fantastic goalkeeper for the Reds, with the only blot on his copybook in recent weeks the misjudgement of a cross which allowed Newcastle to equalize during last week's Premier League game at St. James' Park.
Arne Slot consistently maintained in recent weeks that Alisson would return to the team as soon as he was fit — irrespective of Kelleher's impressive form — but Schmeichel still thinks it was harsh to relegate Kelleher back to the bench.
"I feel a little bit sorry for him that he’s not playing today," Schmeichel said on NBC Sports. "People say, 'hey he made a big mistake', but things happen in games that you can’t explain away. He has been absolutely fantastic.
"I had the pleasure of interviewing him after the win against Real Madrid. He also has a great personality, understands his role, but he is a very ambitious young man, and he’s definitely ready to be a No. 1."
Alisson previously publicly stated his intention to remain at Liverpool until at least the end of his contract, which expires in 2027, but Schmeichel thinks Kelleher could be ready to take the reins at Anfield next season, despite the majority of Reds fans firmly expecting the Northern Irishman to leave the club next year.
"Liverpool having signed Mamardashvili from next summer, it points to maybe Alisson leaving the club, possibly rumors say he could be going to Saudi," Schmeichel added. "It could be a dog fight between Kelleher and Mamardishvili for the No. 1 shirt. If that’s the case, he has made a fantastic start in that race.
"I’m sure that Liverpool now view him as a proper, proper Premier League goalkeeper, and they would be very reluctant to sell him to any of their competitors. I think he might be there to stay and possible be a future No. 1 for Liverpool."