Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Liverpool, Champions League, Arne Slot, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart
Liverpool fans are fearing that one player will 'definitely' be leaving the club after seeing Arne Slot's team selection for their Champions League clash against Girona.
The Reds are the only team with a perfect record in the Champions League this season, winning all five of their games thus far.
Their latest win was a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Real Madrid, which included a missed penalty from Kylian Mbappe.
Advert
Upon seeing the teamsheet, fans have mixed feelings about one major change from that winning team.
Alisson has returned from injury and gone straight back into the starting line-up, with Caoimhin Kelleher dropping to the bench.
The Brazilian missed 11 matches after suffering a hamstring injury in October.
Advert
Kelleher has deputised in his absence and pulled off several important saves, including the aforementioned stop to keep out Mbappe against Real.
His only blot on the copybook came during last week's 3-3 draw against Newcastle, where the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper rushed out to claim a free kick but saw the ball soar over his head, with Fabian Schar sliding the ball in from a tight angle at the back post to equalise.
Kelleher would have extended his run in the Liverpool team to 12 games in Saturday's Merseyside derby, but the game was postponed due to safety concerns relating to Storm Darragh in the north West.
Advert
Alisson was not deemed to be ready for that match, but was declared fully fit ahead of the Girona clash and has now been included in the starting XI to make only his second Champions League appearance of the season.
Slot had already effectively confirmed that Alisson would return to the team in his pre-match press conference, telling reporters: "It is definitely nice to have him back and to have him available.
"But if you then look at how his replacement did, it's not going to be easy to do it even better. We expect definitely the same and maybe on margins a bit better ... we can say that we have two very good goalkeepers, like our left wingers, that can do the job for us.
"For so many years, Alisson has been so outstanding for this club that we are expecting and hoping him to do the same in the upcoming weeks and months."