Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has travelled with the squad for the Champions League clash against Girona this evening..
The Brazilian goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury at the start of October against Crystal Palace and hasn’t played since.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper is expected to start for Liverpool tonight.
The goalkeeping situation at Liverpool is intriguing. Manager Arne Slot has made it clear that Alisson is the first-choice keeper, and he will continue in goal when he returns from injury.
Caoimhin Kelleher has deputised admirably in his absence, but he will have to make way for the Brazilian shot-stopper.
Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer. He is plying trade in La Liga on loan at Valencia but will join the Reds next summer.
The club will have to part ways with one of their current goalkeepers next summer. The New York Times’ chief soccer correspondent, Rory Smith, thinks the club may make a surprise move.
“It’s possible that Alisson is the goalkeeper that leaves Liverpool in the summer,” said Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
“I don’t have any reason to believe it will be, but I don’t think it would be ridiculous if Liverpool think Kelleher has everything needed to succeed him.
“Mamardashvili looks like he’s also an outstanding prospect, so maybe for a year, they’ll do that awkward thing that Arsenal did with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale – where you have two, and you have competition between them to establish who’s going to be number one.
“But I don’t think it’s impossible that Liverpool will look at Alisson’s injury record and the fact he’s on a lot of money, and they’ll think maybe it’s time for him to earn that money elsewhere.”
The counter-argument for keeping Alisson
Alisson is on £150k-per-week wages at the club, and Smith has raised a valid point.
However, there are counter-arguments. Alisson is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and he still has plenty of years left in him.
Goalkeepers usually have a long career, and Alisson can easily play until his late 30s.
He has said before that he wants to stay at Anfield. He would probably accept the second-choice role behind Mamardashvili and can still play a lot of games.
By contrast, Kelleher is in his prime years. He simply cannot afford to waste time on the bench. He wants to play regularly, and Liverpool cannot guarantee that even if Alisson leaves.
He is a regular for the Republic of Ireland national team and should be playing regularly for a club. Given his form in the past two years, he can join any top Premier League club.
Liverpool spent a massive fee to buy Alisson from Roma, and they will never be able to recoup that.
Much like Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah, it makes sense for Liverpool to get the best out of him as long as they can.
Slot will need senior players at the club who will guide the juniors coming through the ranks. Alisson is loved by everyone, and his presence at the club is vital for maintaining continuity.
