“He has been awesome " - John Aldridge backs Liverpool boss Arne Slot to make tough decision on 'standout' star

Liverpool legend John Aldridge feels goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher should keep his place in the side even though first-choice Alisson Becker is now fit. Kelleher has made eight appearances for the Reds across competitions this term, keeping a clean sheet in half of them.

Aldridge, in an interview with Ladbroke (via Caught Offside), felt that Kelleher has been a 'standout' performer and deserves to be persisted with.

“If Alisson is fit, I still think the manager needs to stick with Kelleher. Ali has done nothing wrong whatsoever, and I think he will recognise the situation. He will be thinking, ‘I can’t come back into this team’ and it is hard to say that because he is so good," said Aldridge.

“It will be such a tough decision for Arne to make. We will wait and see what happens, but I just think Kelleher should be number one. I am sure a lot of people will disagree with me," he added.

“If you are injured and someone gets your place and they score goals, you don’t get your place back, regardless of who you are. That’s why we used to play with cortisone injections, so we could keep our place! It doesn’t sound good but that’s what you had to do. Kelleher has been awesome,” Aldridge elaborated.

Kelleher stepped up for Liverpool in Becker's absence and kept two clean sheets in the five matches he played in the Premier League this season. The Irishman has been widely appreciated for his excellent handling of the ball as well as his commanding presence at the back, encouraging his defenders.

Alisson Becker picked up a hamstring injury for Liverpool in October

Regular goalkeeper Alisson Becker picked up a hamstring injury during Liverpool's game against Crystal Palace on October 5 which they won 1-0. He had to be substituted off in the 79th minute and reports claim that he has worked his way back. However, Kelleher has done brilliantly between the goalposts in his absence.

Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, are the leaders of the Premier League with 28 points inside their kitty at the moment. Their closest rivals Manchester City are still five points adrift of them, and one can expect the title race to go right down to the wire this campaign.