Liverpool

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For any other club, losing Alisson would be a massive blow. After all, he is probably the best goalkeeper on the planet.

But in Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool have arguably the world's most impressive back-up stopper - and the Irishman will not let anyone down now that Alisson looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

It almost felt unfair of Liverpool to keep Kelleher in the summer. He is 25 years old and obviously deserving of a starting spot in a Premier League side.

I would argue he has been better than the keepers starting at Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea. Maybe only Arsenal and Manchester City have keepers who would start ahead of him of all the sides in the top flight.

So while Alisson's injury is a blow, it doesn't fill me with worry.

It also makes the deal Liverpool completed to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer make more sense.

The Georgian was an expensive signing, but a pretty unexciting one - given he went on loan to Valencia for the year and because he plays in Alisson's position.

Most Reds would prefer Alisson stays between the sticks for the next five seasons, but his abnormal ability to pick up so many injuries as a keeper means we need an elite deputy.

Kelleher has fulfilled that role but he won't do it forever. He is too good.

Mamardashvili hopefully is too, but perhaps will be happy to learn from Alisson for one season before taking the reins full-time in 2026-27.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Jarell Quansah believes "Liverpool is the best place" to win trophies, after the defender signed a new long-term contract at the club.

Speaking to the club's official website, external the 21-year-old said: "It is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player. The players around me, who I'm looking to work hard off and listen to, they're the best in the position at the minute. So, there is probably no better place I could be."

Quansah joined the club at the age of five, and after over 15 years at the club, he believes the future is bright: "We're building, definitely, a winning environment, like we saw last year when we were able to lift a trophy.

"There are a lot of players here who have still got a bit of unfinished business left, who definitely want to win titles.

"That's ultimately what I want to do as well. I want to be known as a champion, I want to be a winner, and I think Liverpool is the best place for me at this moment."

Quansah has made two appearances for the Reds' this season, and started in Liverpool's first Premier League game of the season. However, since the opening day he has only appeared in the Carabao Cup.

Speaking about his ambitions, he said: "I want to win trophies. That's what Liverpool as a club demands. From the academy days, that's all you want to do. You want to win at all costs. The greatest honour you can have as a player is to call yourself a champion.

"I want to be able to say I've won a Premier League, I've won a Champions League. I do think we've got the quality to do that and I don't see why we can’t push for that."

Do you think this is smart business, Liverpool fans? What would you like to see from Quansah? Have your say here, external

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has "concerns" about Caoimhin Kelleher's future at Liverpool, with head coach Arne Slot stating that Alisson is still his number one and the club already signing Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season.

Kelleher is set to feature in the short term for the Reds with Alisson looking likely to be sidelined by an injury picked up in the win at Crystal Palace but the 25-year-old's long-term Anfield prospects remain uncertain.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Given said: "The summer was the best time for Caoimhin to move on and show everyone he is good enough.

"He is number one for Ireland at the minute and we need him to be playing regularly in the Premier League, because I think that is the level he is at.

"He is going to be back in the team now for sure - I think Alisson will be out for a few weeks - so he has got an opportunity again.

"But, at the same time, Caoimhin is 26 years old in November. He isn't getting any younger.

"Each game that goes by where he doesn't play, he will never get back.

"He has only got one career, one life and one opportunity at being a top goalkeeper."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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A VAR related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty on Monday's Q&A.

@nubiblue on 'X' asked: Is the new improved VAR working? To me it continues to favour certain clubs.

Phil answered: First of all, I don't believe VAR favours certain clubs and quite honestly, I've not noticed too much difference or huge improvement.

Maybe a little less interference but I confess I lost a lot of faith in VAR after initially being a strong advocate.

I would be happy with semi-automated offside and line technology.

Liverpool are interested in 25-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa also wanted to sign him in the summer. (Sky Germany - in German), external

West Ham will price 24-year-old winger Mohammed Kudus out of a move away from the club next summer, despite interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, BBC Sport

A Liverpool related question was put to chief footballer writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Chris asked: Aston Villa fans constantly sing that goalkeeper Emi Martinez is “the world’s number one”. Do you reckon he is?

Phil answered: Here’s a loaded question. Simple answer – no I don’t. I think Martinez is an outstanding goalkeeper and who can argue with Villa fans believing he is the best given his form for them and the fact he was vital to Argentina winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022?

Going back even further, I still remember his brilliant performance when Arsenal beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup in 2020. I was actually surprised they sold him to Villa. In my opinion, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is “the world’s number one”. He has been so vital to Liverpool’s success and a game-changer since his arrival in 2018. He is remarkably consistent, relatively understated – although he would wish to avoid the injuries that have troubled him in the last couple of seasons. I think Martinez is a superb keeper, but I would place Alisson Becker ahead of him. Just.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Trevor: For the second game in a row we were denied an obvious penalty (is VAR becoming just an enhanced offside checker?) That aside, I thought we did enough to have got at least a point. Chalobah had a decent debut. Lacroix is improving every game. We keep giving the ball away and had several great opportunities to score. Frustrating but room for optimism.

Moggy: Liverpool were nothing special and we couldn't take advantage of that. Should have equalised at least. Hughes was great when he came on. Agree that Glasner still hasn't decided on his best XI.

Gavin: So frustrating. Woeful in the first half, losing duels and so many passes going astray. Better second half, but Eze guilty of missing our best chance, which could have gained us a point. Better selections, but Nketiah too deep to have an effective impact. Basics need to be better for us to compete and to secure victories in the Premier League.

Gilly: Tough start to the season for Palace but there are glimmers of hope. But confidence and fire in the belly seems lacking. There are new combinations and players getting used to each other. Given time, I believe it can come right but the longer the lack of goals and wins goes on the more the confidence and belief drops. Hard times. Character needed.

Liverpool fans

Kev: Hard-fought win and made harder by not scoring more, especially in the first half. Overall we probably deserved it and it's very pleasing to go into the international break top of the league.

Stuart: Lucky not to concede again and that luck will run out sooner or later. Will Salah play every minute of every game? We need him fresh and firing at the end of the season. He should be subbed for his and our own good.

Vardon: A win is a win, but it was far less comfortable at times than it should have been. The injuries overshadow the result. We're going into a very difficult run of fixtures without our first-choice goalkeeper and Mac Allister is pivotal to our midfield. This will test our mettle and hamper our chances of winning the Premier League.

Simon: We should have been out of sight by half-time. Tried to pass the ball into the net rather than shooting on sight. Over-confidence and complacency set in and we allowed Palace into the game. A better team would have punished us. Was glad to hear the final whistle.

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Liverpool "are the dark hose contenders" for the title, says former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

"Everyone is still talking about Manchester City and Arsenal," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Liverpool are going about their business quietly.

"My biggest worry would be injuries from international duty as they look to be a great side as things stand."

Reo-Coker's injury worries are backed up by ex-Reds keeper David James, who also believes the games following the break could cost them points unless Arne Slot can crack the team management.

"My fear for Liverpool is the post-international break matches," said James. "We saw what happened after the last one when they produced their worst performance of the season so far against Nottingham Forest.

"Slot and his team need to work out how they are going to get the team right after an international break. If they are to play big sides after each break then it will not be good."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Liverpool have made their best start to a season since their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2019-20.

The Reds go into the international break top of the table with 18 points from a possible 21 and the best goal difference in the league of 11.

Although it is has been a near-perfect start for Arne Slot, it is important to note that they have had an easier start compared with Manchester City and Arsenal and are yet to play a team in the top half of the table.

Real Madrid had planned to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer next summer when his contract at Liverpool expires, but the La Liga club might move for the right-back in January after Dani Carvajal sustained a serious knee injury. (Sport - in Spanish), external

The Reds have joined Newcastle United and Tottenham in the race to sign 26-year-old England attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool are progressing with contract talks for centre-backs Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 3-2 Fulham

• Everton 0-0 Newcastle

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sports about Liverpool topping the table going into the international break: "Mostly for me it's special.

"Players go to their national team and they think of the national team, but for me if I lose it is three to four days of being unhappy. I think my wife will be happy as she will have someone home who is happy.

"Really satisfied with how we started the season. It is a good start not only the results, but I liked our performance today.

"There was a period of the game we conceded free-kicks and that was a difficult period. For the last 10 minutes we kept the ball very well."

On Crystal Palace's possible penalty call: "The ball is going to the goalkeeper. If he [referee] had given this one then VAR wouldn't have changed it. It is not a penalty for me as he [Guehi] wouldn't ever get the ball."

On the fixture list after the international break: "The fixtures are difficult, but I have felt how difficult Wolves and Palace are away. It is good that we have won these games and it is up to us to show ourselves in the big games.

"Unfortunately Alisson will not be with us in these matches with how he walked off the pitch."

On Vitezslav Jaros' debut: "Really good. He had a good season and he won the league and cup with the team [Sturm Graz] in Austria [last season].

"He wanted to go [back this season] and have playing time. We said at a club like this we need a good third goalkeeper as well.

"It was a nice moment for him to make his debut for Liverpool."

Listen to more from Slot on BBC Sounds

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool will go into the international break top of the table after Diogo Jota's goal at Crystal Palace kept their hugely impressive start to the season under Arne Slot going.

They have won six of their seven games in the Premier League and, while goals win games, it is their defence that is proving particularly impressive under their new manager.

They have the best defensive record in the top flight so far, conceding just two goals, meaning when they do take the lead it is very hard for the opposition side to get something from the game.

But a crucial part of that impressive defence has been goalkeeper Alisson. He made two big saves in the second half against Crystal Palace to help secure the win, but he suffered an injury while making a clearance, and Slot fears he will be out "for a few weeks".

How they cope without their first-choice goalkeeper will arguably be Liverpool's first big test under Slot.

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot is the first Liverpool manager to win nine of his first 10 games in charge of the club (L1), while the Reds have done so to begin a season for the third time after 1961-62 and 1990-91.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to TNT Sports: "It is hard to come here. The results over the years are tight and close.

"I think obviously we scored a fantastic goal. We could have done better in the second half, but we knew they'd come out with a bit of pressure on the ball.

"It ends our run on a high before the internationals."

On having the best defensive record in the Premier League this season: "We keep going and we keep working. We are never satisfied. We needed Alli [Alisson] twice, but that is what we try to avoid. Everyone is contributing to clean sheets.

"I think there is always expectations towards different teams - whatever the outside world thinks of us we don't really care.

"We want to try challenge, compete, win and be successful."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Palace's performance, external

What did you make of Liverpool’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report