Liverpool’s solid start to the new season under Arne Slot is set to face a severe test following the international break when they will take on Chelsea and Arsenal in back-to-back league games.
The Reds are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table with 18 points from seven games and there is a wave of optimism flowing through Anfield.
New manager Arne Slot has done well to settle quickly and take charge of the team following the departure of cult favourite Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.
However, there is an attempt to temper the expectations and Liverpool’s title credentials will face the stiffer tests of games against Chelsea and Arsenal this month.
The Reds will also have to contend with the loss of Alisson who picked up a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The injury to the Brazilian has put the focus back on Caoimhin Kelleher who will be between the sticks for the Reds as long as Alisson is out injured.
The Ireland international is a great number 2 goalkeeper but Shay Given insisted that he should be playing more football somewhere else.
Kelleher should have left Liverpool in the summer – Former Ireland goalkeeper
The former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper stressed that Kelleher, who was wanted at Nottingham Forest in the summer, should have moved on from Liverpool in the last transfer window.
He admitted that Alisson’s injury is a good opportunity for the goalkeeper to get a run of games in the Liverpool team but insisted that Ireland need him to play regular football in the Premier League.
He pointed out that Kelleher is not getting any younger and he is quickly running out of time to establish himself as a top goalkeeper in the top flight of English football.
“The summer was the best time for Caoimhin to move on and show everyone he is good enough”, Given said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
“He is number one for Ireland at the minute and we need him to be playing regularly in the Premier League because I think that is the level he is at.
“He is going to be back in the team now for sure – I think Alisson will be out for a few weeks – so he has got an opportunity again.
“But, at the same time, Caoimhin is 26 years old in November. He isn’t getting any younger. Each game that goes by where he doesn’t play, he will never get back.
“He has only got one career, one life and one opportunity at being a top goalkeeper.”
Kelleher has featured just 16 times in the Premier League and there are no guarantees that he will ever get the opportunity to be the Liverpool number one.
The Reds are already committed to signing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia at the end of the ongoing season.
