The Premier League returns this weekend. Liverpool sit atop the league and have a trip to Southampton to look forward to. Caoimhín Kelleher looks likely to start again for Liverpool, but Liverpool's number one Alisson is due back from injury shortly.
Kelleher's excellent form is creating something of a goalkeeper's debate for Liverpool. In a recent exclusive interview with Ladbrokes, the official betting partner of Liverpool FC, club legend John Aldridge expressed his strong belief that Caoimhín Kelleher should retain the starting goalkeeper position for Liverpool, even if first-choice keeper Alisson Becker is fit to return.
Aldridge, who has been closely following the team's performances, praised Kelleher as the club's standout player in recent matches.
He emphasised:
I think Caoimhín Kelleher has been our standout player. He has a massive future ahead of him at the club. If Alisson is fit, I still think the manager needs to stick with Kelleher. Ali has done nothing wrong whatsoever, and I think he will recognise the situation. He will be thinking, “I can’t come back into this team” and it is hard to say that because he is so good. It will be such a tough decision for Arne [Slot] to make. We will wait and see what happens, but I just think Kelleher should be number one. I am sure a lot of people will disagree with me. If you are injured and someone gets your place and they score goals, you don’t get your place back, regardless of who you are. That’s why we used to play with cortisone injections, so we could keep our place! It doesn’t sound good but that’s what you had to do. Kelleher has been awesome.
Virgil van Dijk has also rolled back the years. We are playing more defensive now which suits him, players are surrounding him, and he sees the ball earlier and that has helped him as a player. And of course, Ryan Gravenberch has probably been the star player with him playing a different role now. place and they score goals, you don’t get your place back, regardless of who you are.
There are many who disagree with Aldridge including Liverpool manager Arne Slot who said after the 2-0 win over Aston Villa that Alisson would keep the job when he returns.
“He is and will be our first goalkeeper if he is fit. But first he needs to be fit.
“But Caoimh has done outstanding, last season and this season again as well but the moment Alisson is fit, he will be our first goalkeeper.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Liverpool's goalkeeping situation, with fans eager to see whether Kelleher will continue to impress in the starting role.
Aldridge's insights reflect a deep understanding of team dynamics, player performance, and the challenges of management in professional football.
His comments advocate for a merit-based approach to team selection, emphasising that players must earn their spots through consistent performance on the pitch.
