2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Stephen Killen)
Arne Slot is facing up to a selection headache after Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker was ruled 'doubtful' for the Bournemouth game. Caoimhin Kelleher could make his first appearance of the season for Liverpool against AFC Bournemouth. The Republic of Ireland international will be bracing himself for a start after Arne Slot rated his No.
1 choice - Alisson Becker - as 'doubtful' for that Premier League meeting. The Brazilian has been ever-present so far this season and featured in the 3-1 win against AC Milan on Tuesday night. However, the goalkeeper, 31, appears to have picked up an injury and faces a race to be passed fit for the visit of the Cherries on Saturday afternoon.
During his pre-match press conference , head coach Slot confirmed that the former AS Roma shot-stopper could miss the Premier League clash after picking up a groin injury. Liverpool will be paying close attention to his fitness in the build-up to their 3pm kick-off at Anfield . "Alisson is still a doubt [to know] if he can train today [Friday morning].
Let's wait if he can train...
if he can't he'll probably not play so we will see," said the Dutchman. "He has a slight issue with one of his muscles. We wonder if this game is coming too early or not.
"He didn't do it in the Milan game as it happened a bit before, but after the Milan game he felt it more and more. We have to wait and see if he's ready to be in goal or whether we wait a few extra days." The possibility of Alisson's absence offers up a chance for Kelleher to make his first Premier League appearance since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United back in April.
The 25-year-old made 10 appearances in the top-flight, last season, totting-up 26 in all competitions as he deputised for the Liverpool long-term number one. With the agreed arrival of Giorgi Marmadashvili next summer, after his transfer from Valencia was completed in August and subsequently loaned back to the La Liga side, a key question over Kelleher's role in the goalkeeping pecking order has come under speculation. Nottingham Forest lodged interest in the Irishman during the transfer window and rumoured interest has never been far away from the Cork-born goalkeeper.
A report from The Athletic last month claimed that the Reds rejected a cash plus player offer for the 25-year-old from Nuno Espirito Santo's side. It was said that the proposed deal was nowhere near Liverpool's valuation, of up to £25million, as USA goalkeeper Matt Turner was used in the offer as makeweight. During the recent international break, Kelleher dropped his clearest hint yet, as he outlined his aspirations to play first-team football.
"I think I've made it clear in the last few years I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out," said the 25-year-old. "The club have made that decision to get another goalkeeper in as well which, obviously from the outside looking in, looks like they've made a decision to go in a different direction. My ambitions have always been clear and that's been clear the last few seasons that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out.
"Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like maybe it's 100 per cent my decision but, maybe at times, it's not always in my hands as well. My ambition is to go out and play and be a number one. "It's been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids, as well.
Like I say, that's not always in my hands to fully make the decision. "My ambition is clear. I think I'm good enough and want to go out and prove it and play week in, week out.
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