Caoimhin Kelleher proved this with a 10-game run of outstanding performances over the past two months, filling in for the injured Alisson.
But, in his return to the team, the Brazilian number one doesn’t look like he has missed a step at all.
It’s unfortunate for Kelleher, who would arguably start at any other team in the entire league.
An additional factor is how not playing will affect his chances for his national team, the Republic of Ireland. On that, Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has been alarmingly clear.
“We would like our players to play,” he stone-facedly replied when asked about a series of Irish players that are struggling for game-time at the moment, according to The Mirror.
“I will answer this question the same way whoever it is. As a national team coach, you would always like to see your players playing,” Hallgrimsson continued, “Whether it’s Evan [Ferguson] or someone else. It’s our preference. We would like our players to play.
“The same with Caoimhin [Kelleher], we don’t know if he’s going to play games for Liverpool even though he’s done brilliantly.
“Should he go and try to play somewhere else? It applies to everyone. For a national team coach, of course you would like your players to be playing all the time.”
The links between Liverpool and Real Madrid this season have been alarmingly regular for sides that are supposed to be direct rivals.
Madrid’s defeat of the Reds in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals were tough pills to swallow, but running Los Blancos off the pitch a few weeks ago was a welcome tonic.
There has been constant chatter of Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially heading to the Spanish capital should he choose to not renew his contract on Merseyside, and Jude Bellingham is reportedly constantly working to convince his friend to leave his boyhood club.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have been linked to both Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Aurelien Tchouameni for the entirety of the season. This is part of their need to replace Mo Salah in the long term and Arne Slot’s desire to solidify his midfield.
And Spanish outlet Fichajes are now reporting that Real Madrid have logged their interest in Dominik Szoboszlai.
