'Outstanding': Steve McManaman names the Liverpool player who 'kept them in the game' against Aston Villa

11/09/2024 04:50 PM

Liverpool had the chance to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League as they took on Aston Villa on Saturday night.

The Reds knew it was set to be a big occasion at Anfield after seeing Man City lose to Brighton earlier in the day.

Villa have been in poor form having lost the last three across all competitions, but with master tactician Unai Emery at the helm, they are never an easy opponent.

Nevertheless, playing towards the Kop in the first-half, Liverpool were able to hit the front. Darwin Nunez finished off a ‘stunning’ counter-attack to put the Reds 1-0 up.

From there, Nunez should probably have finished off an almost identical attack to grab himself a second goal.

But it wasn’t all one way traffic, and analysing the game at half-time former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman praised goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for two ‘outstanding’ moments.

Steve McManaman hails Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool knew Saturday’s game would not be an easy match. Despite Villa’s poor form, they are a match for anyone on their day.

Arne Slot will have perhaps expected a reaction following the hat-trick of losses for Emery’s side and although the Reds were largely in control, they did get that.

Villa gave as good as they got during the first-half and went extremely close with two good headers from corners.

First, Kelleher had to be alert to touch a glancing header from Amadou Onana over the bar.

READ MORE: Liverpool fans send public message to FSG with Mohamed Salah banner on the Kop vs Aston Villa

Then, just seconds later from the resultant corner, Diego Carlos flashed a header and goal and must have thought he’d scored. Thankfully Kelleher was there again to provide an instinctive block.

And looking back on the saves at half-time for TNT Sports, McManaman hailed Kelleher and claimed that he was ‘keeping Liverpool in the game.’

“What a stop that is from the goalkeeper. He’s really kept them in the game, two outstanding saves,” raved the pundit.

When will Alisson Becker be back?

With another international break following Liverpool’s game against Villa, it will be interesting to see who is between the sticks for the Reds next match.

It was initially reported that Alisson Becker would miss a minimum of seven games for Liverpool.

As the Villa clash was the last of those seven, supporters will be hoping that their No.1 will be back fit to face Southampton.

However, should Alisson take a little longer to return to fitness, Liverpool know by now that they couldn’t be in safer hands.

Kelleher has once again stood in superbly for the Brazilian, with Saturday just the latest in a long list of fantastic performances.