Salah and Alisson Guide Liverpool to Champions League Victory in the Return of the King.
THE KING RETURNS: Salah Converts Penalty and Alisson Shines as Reds Maintain Perfect Champions League Record
Kelleher’s performances were crucial to Liverpool’s recent achievements, demonstrating his skill and dependability in goal. However, his quick relegation to the bench underscores the difficulties backup goalkeepers face at top clubs, where chances can be rare despite solid showings. This is a hard reality for the talented Irishman, who has consistently proven his value when given the opportunity.
Mo Salah’s penalty proved to be the match’s only goal, securing a tight win for Liverpool in a tense clash with Girona.
Liverpool supporters were thrilled to see Alisson return to action in goal following an extended injury layoff.
Former Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek gave away the penalty. Credit: Getty
Caoimhin Kelleher was relegated to the bench once again after Alisson was declared fit to play. Kelleher, who has expressed his desire to leave Liverpool for more first-team opportunities, watched from the sidelines as Alisson delivered a standout performance, reaffirming his status as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
On a night when Arne Slot’s Liverpool team struggled to find their rhythm, Alisson made five key saves, keeping the team in the game. Liverpool’s lackluster attacking effort was briefly helped by VAR, which awarded a penalty after former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek fouled Luiz Díaz.
Mohamed Salah, having a quieter game, stepped up to convert the penalty, continuing Liverpool’s trend of late goals. In fact, 20 of their last 23 goals have come in the second half, highlighting the team’s resilience and knack for coming through in important moments.
Alisson has consistently delivered exceptional performances for Liverpool in the Champions League throughout the years.
While he will always be remembered for his crucial stoppage-time save against Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik in December 2018, which kept Liverpool in the competition and ultimately helped them win the final against Tottenham, Alisson has proven over the past six years that he has only gotten better. The main concern now is his troublesome hamstrings.
There were also standout moments last year against Spain’s third-best team, where the 32-year-old showcased his skill with his feet, playing precise passes with his defenders. At one point, he even executed a brilliant chip over an onrushing player, further demonstrating his technical ability.
Kelleher’s errors against Newcastle in the Premier League last week came at the worst possible time, just before Alisson’s return.
Despite Kelleher’s strong performances, with the only exception being the mistake against Newcastle six days ago, Alisson was always set to be reinstated to the starting lineup.
Now, Kelleher finds himself back in a team that has only suffered one loss all season.
