ASSESSING LIVERPOOL’S SQUAD: GOALKEEPERS

With the pre-season over and done with, we take a look at the strength of the Liverpool squad and assess their readiness for the challenges that lie ahead in what promises to be another intense season. Do they have enough depth?

Are further reinforcemens required? We will take a detailed look at each department, starting with the goalkeepers, then the defence, through to the midfield, before finally tackling the attack.

Jürgen Klopp’s set of goalkeepers heading into the 2022/23 season is a strong one. It consists of Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher, Adrian San Miguel and young Scouser Harvey Davies.

Alisson Becker

Alisson is of course first choice and has been since his record capture from AS Roma. He’s established himself as one of, if not the very best ‘keeper in the world. He clinched his second Premier League Golden Glove last season (an award he shared with compatriot Ederson).

He is currently recovering from an abdominal injury which ruled him out for most of the pre-season schedule. It is a slight worry the regularity with which he picks up injuries.

Saying that, he did manage 54 appearances in all competitions last season (keeping 27 clean sheets), so hopefully he stays fit again this campaign. Jürgen Klopp will be praying Ali doesn’t suffer any adverse effects from not having much of a pre-season under his belt.

Caoimhin Kelleher

The Northern Irishman is another goalkeeper who curiously picks up quite a number of knocks and niggles. He missed all of pre-season with an unspecified injury and with no update as to when he will return to training.

He was set to make a decision on his future this summer after an impressive season last campaign. He starred in the League Cup final after Jürgen Klopp kept faith in him. A clean sheet was the reward, with Caoimhin slamming home what turned out to be the winning penalty in the shootout.

He capped off the season by becoming first choice pick for his country. It’s been a promising twelve months for the 23 year old and he looks set to continue his stay on Merseyside.

The Cup competitions will afford him minutes, and who knows, there could be more Cup success to come. He made only 8 appearances last season (keeping 4 clean sheets) but was able to cram in huge moments that will be remembered for years.

With his talent and ability, it’s only a matter of time till he pushes for a move to become first choice elsewhere. He is more than capable of being a regular right away for any of the Premier League sides outside the top six. As long as he’s here though, he’s an excellent backup.

Adrian San Miguel

The veteran may have slipped to third choice but continues to prove himself an important figure in the dressing room. He played a key role in aiding fellow Spaniard Thiago Alcantara settle into his new surroundings following his switch from Bayern Munich.

He seems to be playing that role again for Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, helping the 23 year old bridge the language barrier. Adrian comes off as a cheerful character in the dressing room and a leadership figure for the young goalkeepers coming through.

His role on the pitch may have diminished in the past year (he made only one appearance last season), but he has been solid the few times he’s been called upon. That clean sheet at Preston last season was well earned after an important save at 0-0.

He has been the only fit senior goalkeeper this summer and has enjoyed a strong pre-season. He capped it off with a decent showing in the Community Shield against Manchester City making seven saves against the league champions.

He may have made some glaring errors in the past, but as third choice goalies go, he’s as good as you’re gonna get. This is why the club activated their option to extend his deal by a further year. He will likely see out this last year of his contract and depart for free next summer.

Harvey Davies

The 18 year old has come into his own this summer, featuring for 151 minutes in pre-season. He impressed in particular with his distribution. He will spend the season with the Academy, alongside Fabian Mozrek who also debuted this pre-season.

Harvey was on the bench for the Community Shield and earned his first winner’s medal with the senior team after the 3-1 win. That’s just a taste of things to come if he continues his development.

Claudio Taffarel’s arrival saw Jürgen Klopp suggest the club will be building an Academy of goalkeepers. It seems we’re witnessing the first fruits of that with these two teenagers.

The goalkeeping department is in healthy shape at the minute, with the only slight concern being the fitness of Alisson and Kelleher. There’s enough strength in depth, as shown by the Reds beating City on Saturday with their third choice in goal.