13 hours Ago By Vincent Whelan
SHAY Given would be driven plane crazy were he in Caoimhin Kelleher's shoes right now. He reiterated his stance that Kelleher needs to seek an emergency parachute out of Anfield in the coming months after seeing him immediately lose his starting spot to the returning Alisson. Arne Slot would argue that his ruthless decision was vindicated by the Brazilian making a few vital saves to mask an underwhelming team display as Liverpool dug out a 1-0 away win .
But looking on from an entirely Irish perspective in the Premier Sports studio the Donegal native summed up just how disheartened Ireland's current number one was likely left feeling. He argued: "I don't think there is a big drop off from Alisson to Kelleher. "The only thing he has is the experience, winning the Premier League and Champions League, he has been there and done it.
"Caoimhin has sat on the bench when Alisson has been and done it. "Kenny (Cunningham, whom was sat beside him) is right. There is not a big drop-off.
"But the manager restated what he said, that Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world. "Caoimhin is going to be thinking 'it doesn't matter what I do' because the last spell of games he has been absolutely brilliant. "He had one mistake at Newcastle, okay, but he has been absolutely phenomenal.
"He can do no more to get in that team and the manager puts Alisson back in and after the game backs it up with 'he's best goalkeeper in the world'. "It is frustrating for Kelleher. I'd be headbutting the plane on the way home thinking 'what do I need to do'.
Well I know what he needs to do - get out of the club." On the back of his number one helping to preserve his side's 100 per cent record in this season's Champions League Slot made it even clearer that so long as he is fit, Alisson will start. The Dutch boss purred: "We have an incredible goalkeeper.
"I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work. "He showed today he is probably one of the best – in my opinion the best goalkeeper – in the world. "Let’s hope he can continue to keep bringing these performances and hope more he can stay fit.
" In total, Alisson racked up five saves which laid the foundations for a Mohamed Salah penalty in the 63rd minute to secure all three points on offer. The Premier League leaders are now virtually guaranteed a bye into the competition's second knockout round as a result of finishing in the top-eight..
