Why Alisson's latest injury explains Liverpool's double snub to Caoimhin Kelleher
Alisson will be out for at least seven weeks with a hamstring injury and Liverpool must turn to Caoimhin Kelleher again after handing him a double snub in the summer
by David Anderson · The MirrorLiverpool will turn to Caoimhin Kelleher again after Alisson was ruled out for at least seven weeks with a hamstring injury.
Alisson will miss Liverpool’s toughest period of the season so far and he will be sidelined for at least seven games, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Premier League and RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Kelleher missed Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace through illness, but the Republic of Ireland No 1 is expected to deputise again for the Brazilian.
Alisson’s latest injury - his fifth lay-off in the last 11 months - shows why Liverpool took such a tough stance with Kelleher in the summer. He wanted to leave to become a No 1 in the Premier League after making 18 appearances last season as he successfully replaced Alisson.
He helped the Reds win a second Carabao Cup under Jurgen Klopp and he filled in for the South American seamlessly. Nottingham Forest returned with a fresh bid in August after failing to land Kelleher in January and he was attracted by the idea of being first-choice at another Premier League club.
Liverpool flatly refused to sell Kelleher, even though his value was high after last season and the fact he had two years left on his Reds contract. They did not want to have to rely on Czech Vitezslav Jaros, who only made his Liverpool debut at Palace on Saturday.
Georgi Mamardashvili is not arriving at Anfield until next summer as he remains on loan at Valencia and Liverpool knew they needed Kelleher for one more season. Kelleher, 25, was none too pleased by their actions and voiced his frustration last month while on international duty with the Republic.
He was deeply disappointed that Liverpool would not allow him to go when they had made it clear by signing Mamardashvili that they did not consider him as good enough to be their long-term No 1. Kelleher must put these feelings aside and use his spell in the first team to put himself back in the shop window.
He will be even more desirable next summer because he will only have a year left on his Liverpool contract and he should have a number of offers. Liverpool will let him go then when Mamardashvili will arrive to fight it out with Alisson for the No 1 spot.
This is the single-minded attitude Kelleher must have and by impressing for Liverpool, he can boost his own career. He has already shown he has put his disappointment at being snubbed over the No 1 spot and having a move to Forest blocked by performing well against Bournemouth and West Ham last month.
He only conceded one goal and proved he has the right mindset. Liverpool are going to need this attitude as their season ramps up against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday week.
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