Liverpool’s dramatic drop in form this season has sparked widespread scrutiny, with many trying to pinpoint the root causes of their transformation from Premier League champions to a team seemingly in disarray. A record summer transfer campaign to secure the services of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz has raised eyebrows, particularly as both players are still adjusting to life at Anfield.
Some experts suggest that these new additions may have upset coach Arne Slott’s equilibrium, while others question the wisdom of letting certain players leave. Among the departures was Caoikhin Kelleher, who moved to Brentford for an estimated £18 million, while Giorgi Mamadashvili arrived at Anfield from Valencia. This change could have been detrimental to Liverpool, especially considering Alisson Becker’s injury problems, which led to the appointment of Mamadashvili.
Liverpool may be keenly aware of Kelleher’s lack of a consistent influence as back-up, a sentiment echoed by former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster.
In a recent interview with talkSPORT, Foster added Kelleher to his list of top five goalkeepers in the Premier League, alongside Alisson, Emi Martinez, David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He said: “He (Kelleher) has been phenomenal this season. He played quite a few games for Liverpool so I wonder what he’s been through at Liverpool.”
“Don’t forget, Alisson was out injured for quite a while. I think the way he handled himself at Liverpool, for example, was phenomenal, a really great performance, really calm and thoughtful.”
“But I think it’s obviously because of his character, I think it’s just who he is as a person, but secondly, being surrounded by Alisson as the number one goalkeeper and being able to watch the game week in and week out.
“Because when you watch him play, Alisson, he embodies calm under pressure. You can always see that he is in complete control of everything he does.
“I think Caouhin had the opportunity to really watch him and learn from the best player in his position. It reminded me a bit of when I was at Man United with Edwin van der Sar. It’s the same thing.”
“I didn’t do well at Man United at the time, partly because I had Van der Sar in front of me and I just thought, ‘Oh my God, you’re so good, to be honest, you’re so, so good.’
“He’s in control of everything and very calm. But when I left Man United I was fully prepared to deal with the rest of my career. That prepared me for the rest of my career and I think it’s the same thing that happened with Caouhin.”
That calm demeanor is exactly what Liverpool have lacked at various points this season, with the game becoming increasingly open and creating chances at both ends.
The problem may go beyond simply having a reassuring and confident figure between the posts, but Alisson’s return to top form could prove beneficial.
