CAOIMHÍN KELLEHER LOOKS set to remain in goals for Liverpool until the end of the month, with manager Arne Slot saying the Cork man’s impressive form means Alisson Becker will not be rushed back.
The Ireland international has made 11 appearances for table-topping Liverpool so far this season, and has earned praise for his performances since stepping into the first team when Alisson suffered a hamstring injury in early October.
“It’s always big decisions you have to make as the manager of Liverpool because we have so many quality players. But I have been clear about what my position is about our goalkeepers,” said Slot, who has previously said Allison will go straight back into the team when fit.
“We are just waiting for the moment Alisson is completely fit, because Caoimhín is doing too well to put Alisson in goal if he’s only on 50%.
“He’s getting there, it might take a few more days but he’s getting closer and closer. The end phase of a rehab is always the most (important), ‘is he really there or does he need a few extra days?’.
“But he will be in goal before the end of December if things continue like they are now.”
Kelleher made a standout save from Kevin De Bruyne during Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday. In doing so he bailed out captain Virgil van Dijk, who had made an error.
“He is a fantastic goalkeeper, a fantastic human being,” said Van Dijk this week.
“It is never easy to be a back-up goalkeeper but in his case he is having an unbelievable, amazing goalkeeper in Alisson in front of him.
“But the time he has been playing he has been absolutely outstanding. I really enjoy seeing how much he has improved and is playing with confidence.
Slot, meanwhile, laughed off Mohamed Salah’s suggestions he could have played his last Anfield match against Manchester City by joking his leading scorer was expecting them to be relegated as a result of the 115 Premier League charges they are facing.
Salah, who is out of contract at the end of the season, said after scoring in Sunday’s win over Pep Guardiola’s side: “Honestly it’s in my head. Until now this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool (at home) so I was just going to enjoy it.”
It is a theme he has mentioned before as time ticks down on the remainder of his deal with no hint of a successful resolution in sight.
Slot has become an expert in side-stepping all questions on the expiring contracts of Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and on this occasion chose to make a joke out of it.
“Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 accusations that are done so he expects them not to be in the Premier League next season,” he said.
“I do expect them to be in the Premier League.
“The boring answer is always the same. This is not the place for me to talk about Mo’s contract.
“Maybe I’ve said already too much about the joke I’ve just made. So that will probably get the headlines. But it was a joke, I repeat, it was a joke.”
The outcome of a hearing into the charges of breaching financial regulations – which City strenuously deny – is expected in the new year.
Kelleher need to leave asap. Slot seems to keep making a point about Alisson being his number one. Not needed considering how well Kelleher is playing
@Dec: of course Allison is no1 he’s one of if not the best keepers in the world. As a red, kelleher has been brilliant but slot makes the right point. Keep him in till Ali 100. He’s the best for a reason. As an Irish red would love to see Kelleher no1 at Liverpool after Allison goes but can’t deny him a chance elsewhere, brilliant keeper and deserves a move.
@Dec: Allison is the best keeper in the world and has another few seasons playing at the top level. Yes it’s frustrating for Kelleher and Ireland that he will likely drop to bench and probably have cup games for rest of season if Allison stays fit and in good form. Kelleher has proved he far too good to be no 2 so has to force a move in summer but then Liverpool also have to get his worth which now is surely 30 million +
@Dec: thought that they didn’t let him go?
@Dec: Could be talking up Alisson’s price tag
Caoimhin could be Liverpool keeper for the next 10 seasons .. Allison has 2-3 and is more and more injury prone
The more performances Kellegher puts in like that the more money they’ll be able to ask for come July. Hate to see him go but at the same time he’s far too good to be Allison’s back up.
@Dave Lawlor: He’ll be in huge demand.
Whatever happens, any prospective club should be looking at Kellehers reaction to the signing of Mamardashvili as sign of his professionalism. Most modern players would have gotten the hump. Kelleher has used it as a catalyst. He’s better on the ball than the Mamardashvilli and is well versed in the Liverpool way.
Liverpool might be about to make a big mistake. Slot must be thinking hard about it.
@Louis Jacob: I think if Kelleher wasn’t playing so well Allison would be in by now.
Slot avoiding leaving him on bench.
There’s a version of ‘damned with faint praise’ in that. Question is( for Kelleher) where on the scale between 50 and 100% does Allison have to be to oust him?
@Michael Murray: dreadful BS from the manager there