Arne Slot returned the fit-again Alisson Becker to his starting line-up for the Champions League win at Girona
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool embraces teammate Caoimhin Kelleher following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, embraces teammate Caoimhin Kelleher after the clean sheet in the 2-0 home win over Manchester City
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Managers are paid to make big decisions and the big decision Arne Slot made on Tuesday night certainly paid off for Liverpool. The Reds boss decided to reinstate Alisson Becker to his starting line-up after two months out.
And the Brazilian goalkeeper repaid Slot's faith with a starring role in the 1-0 win at Girona that maintained Liverpool's 100% winning start to the Champions League.
Alisson was playing his first match since he sustained a serious hamstring injury in the 1-0 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace on October 5.. During his absence, Caoimhin Kelleher has once again proved what an able deputy he is, winning eight and drawing two of his 10 matches between the posts, keeping five clean sheets, including against Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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But Slot always maintained that Alisson was his No.1 and that he would regain his place once he was back to full fitness. And after the hard-fought success over Girona, the Liverpool head coach called the 32-year-oid the best goalkeeper in the world.
With the Reds already committed to the signing of Valencia and Georgia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili next summer for a fee of £30m, it remains to be seen just what the future holds for the highly-regarded Kelleher at Anfield.
The Republic of Ireland international has been subject to interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Brentford in the past. And his compatriot Shay Given believes Kelleher now simply has to leave Liverpool.
Speaking on Premier Sports, the former Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa No.1 said: "I don't think there is a big drop off from Alisson to Kelleher.
"The only thing he has is the experience, winning the Premier League and Champions League, he has been there and done it. Caoimhin has sat on the bench when Alisson has been and done it.
"There is not a big drop off. But the manager restated what he said, that Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world.
"Caoimhin is going to be thinking 'it doesn't matter what I do' because the last spell of games he has been absolutely brilliant. He had one mistake at Newcastle but he has been absolutely phenomenal.
"He can do no more to get in that team and the manager puts Alisson back in and after the game backs it up with 'he's best goalkeeper in the world'.
"It is frustrating for Kelleher. I would be headbutting the plane on the way home thinking, 'what do I need to do'. Well I know what he needs to do - get out of the club."
Slot namechecked Kelleher when hailing the performance of Alisson at the Estadi Montilivi. The Dutchman said: "He (Alisson) showed again today why I said so many times that he's our first goalkeeper. That has nothing to do with Caoimhin - he did so, so well.
“But Alisson has been so important for this club for so many years, for his country as well. He showed today that he's probably one of the best, in my opinion the best goalkeeper in the world.
“And let's hope he can keep continuing to bring these performances. Let's hope even more that he can stay fit.”