'They've been lucky': Steve McManaman has spotted a big 'problem' brewing at Liverpool under Arne Slot
Today at 02:15 PM
Liverpool will certainly be in a confident mood ahead of their trip to Arsenal on Sunday, Arne Slot's side are currently excelling across all competitions.
After beating Chelsea on the weekend, Liverpool then won away to Jurgen Klopp's RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Of course, the big narrative from that 1-0 victory was the performance of Darwin Nunez, who got the chance to impress Slot in Diogo Jota's absence.
Jota suffered a rib injury during the victory over Chelsea and also seems likely to miss the trip to Arsenal this weekend.
Therefore, Nunez should get the nod once again, coming up against the side who were linked with a shock bid for him in the summer.
Steve McManaman spots problem unfolding with Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool
That being said, Liverpool will also be without Alisson Becker owing to injury at the weekend, who could be missing well into November.
Therefore, Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in between the sticks following a brilliant clean sheet against RB Leipzig.
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Kelleher made several outstanding saves, and was complemented by Steve McManaman when speaking on TNT Sports after the game.
But as well as praising Kelleher, McManaman said Liverpool have been 'lucky' with the timing or the Irishman's arrival, and anticipated a big 'problem' next summer.
McManaman: "I think Liverpool have been very fortunate, I really do, they've been lucky because he (Kelleher) was called upon at a young age and he stood up to it straight away.
"Because if he was 25 and how he'd be 28, then they'd have big problems because they'd have to let him go.
"But because he jumped into the team at 21 and got ahead of Adrian, and Adrian became the sort of elder-statesman, the number three, they've allowed him to flourish really.
"The problem is going to be next summer, because of course they've bought Mamardashvili from Valencia and he's going to join the club next year.
"And he doesn't want to be number two and Alisson won't be number two, and he (Kelleher) certainly can't be because he's too good. So that's when decisions will have to be made."
End of the road for Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool?
All that considered, it is hard to see how Kelleher will continue at Anfield beyond this season.
A £25m price tag has previously been mooted for the 25-year-old, and interested clubs would be getting good value at that price in truth.
It's rare to find a goalkeeper who is so comfortable with the ball at his feet, and also still be an excellent shot-stopper too.
Kelleher has been very candid about his Liverpool frustrations, a goalkeeper who is clearly very ambitious on a personal level.
And the trouble is, even if Kelleher wins the game for Liverpool against Arsenal on the weekend, he's still destined to lose his spot when Alisson is fit.
