Caoimhin Kelleher was back between the posts and to great effect as Liverpool got the better of Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday evening.
The 26-year-old made a big save to keep The Reds ahead and preserve a win which sees them advance to the final four of the competition they won last season.
Liverpool's Irishman was brilliant during his time between the sticks, and manager Arne Slot has heaped lots of his praise in his direction, however stuck to his guns when insisting that Alisson would retain first-choice status.
Kelleher's only hopes of featuring for his club now seem to depend on the domestic cup competitions, with their FA Cup duties set to start in January.
His stellar form has naturally linked him with some major clubs both in England and abroad, as he looks set to become a first-choice goalkeeper elsewhere in the hope of gaining more conisistent playing time.
Chelsea, Liverpool's current title rivals, have been touted as a possible destination by fans and pundits alike and he will have no shortage of suitors.
He was one of the outstanding goalkeepers across Europe this season, such was the quality of his performances, albeit he did make one key error when Liverpool dropped points to Newcastle.
Former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has urged Kelleher to depart Anfield in the belief he will become one of the world's best elsewhere, but not everybody shares his opinion.
Troy Deeney not convinced by Caoimhin Kelleher
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has previous when it comes to criticising Kelleher and he has questioned whether the Cork native has what it takes to be a number one.
The evidence of his lengthy runs in the Liverpool team both this season and last makes for a strong case for Kelleher, but Deeney is still not convinced.
Speaking on CBS before Liverpool's latest win, Deeney cited Kelleher's blunder vs Newcastle when arguing as to why Kelleher could flop if given first-choice duties elsewhere.
No I don't think it is as easy to say he'll do at another team what he has been doing behind one of the best defences in the last 18 months," Deeney said.
"I think he has done well when he has come in but to come in over a five/six/seven game block over a mainstay of a season is completely different.
"He has also made mistakes. We always talk about the good stuff. How about when he let the ball go over his head and the guy scored for Newcastle? Noone ever mentions that.
"When you are the main goalkeeper you've got a whole fanbase behind you saying you are expected to save everything. I just don't think it is as easy to be a number one as a number two.
"I just don't think it is nailed on that he will be as good as a starter as people think."
It is not the first time that Deeney has downplayed Kelleher's contributions, notably pinning his success on the defenders in front of him after their win away to RB Leipzig in October.
Kelleher won his club's in-house Man of the Match award after a busy shift in Germany saw him walk away with a clean sheet that day.
