Alisson Becker was forced off injured in Liverpool's nervy win at Crystal Palace on Saturday but, curiously, it was not Caoimhín Kelleher who replaced the Brazilian in goals.
Liverpool travelled to Selhurst Park hoping to extend their impressive start to the Premier League campaign under Dutchman Arne Slot.
They would have the ideal start, going in at the break 1-0 up thanks to Diogo Jota's clinical opener after just nine minutes.
We lead at the break 💪 #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/Xk74Lm8zNH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 5, 2024
However, the second half was far more laboured by the visitors, and Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze caused issues for the Liverpool back-line as they chased the one-goal deficit.
Ultimately, Jota's strike proved to be the only goal of the game - though perhaps of more concern to Liverpool fans was the injury sustained by goalkeeper Alisson Becker with little over ten minutes to play.
In clearing the ball under pressure from the Palace forwards, the Brazilian keeper appeared to tweak his hamstring and instantly fell to the ground.
Alisson would ultimately be subbed off but, curiously, it was third-choice keeper Vitezslav Jaros who replaced him and not Irish international Caoimhín Kelleher.
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Explained: Caoimhín Kelleher's absence on Liverpool bench v Palace
Corkonian Kelleher has deputized in Alisson's absence for some time now but he was missing from the matchday squad at Selhurst Park. The club explained his absence in their squad announcement, saying he was missing due to "illness."
Ireland fans will hope that Kelleher will recover in time for Thursday's UEFA Nations League trip to Helsinki to face Finland. Kelleher has firmly established himself as Ireland's number one and was named in Heimir Hallgrímsson's squad for the upcoming double-header against the Finns and Greece.
Depending on the severity of Alisson's injury, there could be a run of games coming at club level for Kelleher.
After the international break, Liverpool have a mega run of games that will see them face Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa in a matter of weeks in the league, while facing RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. They could well face into that run of fixtures with Caoimhín Kelleher between the sticks.
TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch said that Alisson looked "distraught" on the sideline at the end of Saturday's game.
Former St. Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros put in an impressive performance in Alisson's absence late in Saturday's victory, commanding his box well as Palace chased a late equaliser.
Jaros spent the 2021 season on loan in Inchicore, winning the FAI Cup at the end of the season
