The return from injury of Alisson has given Arne Slot a major problem according to one former Liverpool star. The Brazilian was back in the starting XI for the 1-0 Champions League win at Girona last night, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury since October.
And he performed impressively, making a string of saves as the Reds all but guaranteed a top eight league phase finish in the new European format.
But it leaves the Dutch boss with a dilemma ahead of the home game with Fulham on Saturday, with Caoimhin Kelleher having been outstanding between the sticks during Alisson’s lay-off.
And now Stephen Warnock has argued that despite the Irishman’s form, Slot may have little choice but to drop him. "I think the manager's got a real issue on his hands because Kelleher has played so well,” he told BetMGM.
“But the one thing you can't get away from is at his very best, Alisson is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. So that is a tough decision that the manager is going to have to make at some point when Alisson is (fully) fit again.”
The club have already struck a deal to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, immediately sending the Georgian keeper back to Spain on loan for a season. He’ll arrive at Anfield next summer and Warnock believes he is the man, and not Kelleher, who Slot views as Alisson’s eventual replacement.
"Long term I don't see Kelleher as Liverpool’s number one,” he added. “I think Giorgi Mamardashvili is destined to be number one when he eventually joins the club in the summer. They obviously see him as the long-term number one for the future otherwise they wouldn’t have signed him, and he’ll join and fight for that place in the summer.”
The 26-year-old had previously stated his intention to be a first choice keeper at club level, leading to speculation he could soon leave Anfield. And Warnock added that the Cork-born star himself will soon have a critical call in front of him.
"Liverpool could cash in on Alisson and then Kelleher will have a decision to make then,” he said. “Does he stay and fight with Mamardashvili to be number one at Liverpool or does he then think well I've done enough this season to prove that I can play at the highest level and move on.
“Liverpool may even make the decision for him and cash in again because they've got (Vítezslav) Jaros as well. He’s highly thought of at the club.”
Kelleher is currently contracted at the club until June 2026. Therefore, Liverpool risk losing him on a free transfer if he doesn’t extend his deal before next season.