Vitezslav Jaros Speaks On "Brilliant Feeling" Of Making His Liverpool Debut
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The Czech goalkeeper came on for the injured Alisson and helped preserve a clean sheet and a win over Crystal Palace.
Sometimes it takes unfortunate circumstances to others to be handed an opportunity. Liverpool have what is very likely the best goalkeeping tandem in the Premier League, and possible the world, with Alisson Becker and Caoimhín Kelleher. With Kelleher out for Crystal Palace with an illness, 23 year old Vítězslav Jaroš was given a spot on the bench as the reserve goalkeeper.
With Liverpool up 1-0, but under pressure from the home side as they looked to find an equalizer, Alisson stretched for an awkward back pass and felt his hamstring go. Jaroš was forced into action in the 79th minute of the match, making his senor Liverpool debut in a high pressure situation. He saved the only shot he faced and did well to come off his line to collect a through ball to help preserve the lead and the three points. After the match, Jaroš was asked about how it felt to make his debut.
"Brilliant feeling, it's something you dream of as a kid. Obviously it was a bit stressful as a 'keeper coming on towards the end there, especially in a game like this when it was up and down towards the end. But I managed to keep a clean sheet and we managed to get the three points. Brilliant."
Jaroš was brought in facing a set piece opportunity deep in his own half from a throw in, and with no time to warm up. When asked about how he got his mindset ready, he said being involved right away actually helped.
"You have to and it's about finding your concentration and get straight in. I think probably because they had a set-piece straight away and they were on top of us a little bit for the first five minutes I came on, it helped me get in the game a bit quicker."
With Alisson expected to miss several weeks with his hamstring injury, Jaroš will likely find himself in the team for several matches. Jaroš feel like he will be ready if called upon again, citing his starting experience while out on loan over the past few seasons.
"I went on a few loans in the past, which I think got me ready and I've played quite a few games now. I'm ready, I'm available to play whenever."
