Arne Slot has described Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as “maybe too good” to be Alisson’s back-up - but he is ready to drop the Corkman as soon as his regular number one gets the green light.
Kelleher kept a clean sheet in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton.
He was handed his ninth Premier League start of the season after Alisson was deemed not ready to return after suffering concussion in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Liverpool boss Slot, explaining the decision to start Kelleher, paid a huge compliment to the Ireland star.
“We as a club follow the protocol and he had to tick all the boxes and yesterday he didn't tick the last box, so that means he cannot start,” he said.
“The good thing for us is we've got Caoimhin Kelleher, who has shown many times this season and in previous seasons that he's maybe even too good to be Ali's back-up."
However, that won’t stop Slot from sending the Boys in Green star straight back to the bench once Alisson gets the all-clear.
“Of course, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and Joe (Gomez) will not be back in the upcoming weeks,” said Slot, speaking ahead of the Fulham game.
“Conor (Bradley), we have to wait and see if he is ready to be with the squad for Sunday.
“Then of course Curtis (Jones) is an option because he did well, but I think Jarell (Quansah) did well a few times in that position also. Let’s wait and see which decision we make on Sunday.
“And with Ali, it is simple: it is a concussion and you have to tick all the boxes. The moment he does, he will be in goal. The moment he doesn’t, we are following the protocol.”
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