Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal for Liverpool with Alisson close to returning but not available for Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper’s error led to Newcastle United’s late equaliser on Wednesday as Liverpool dropped points in a 3-3 draw with Eddie Howe’s side as he failed to claim a free kick which allowed Fabian Schar to score.
Slot said Alisson was “not ready but will be ready very soon”, and talked positively about Kelleher. He still retains faith in his No.2 goalkeeper and expects him to bounce back from the setback.
“It was at 1-0 where Joe Gomez made a mistake and he (Kelleher) saved a one-versus-one and it could have been 2-0 so maybe he saved us a point,” Slot told reporters. “If we go 2-0 down you never know what will happen afterwards, but it would have been harder for us.
“Unfortunately for Caoimhin, if you make a mistake as a goalkeeper it is very difficult for someone else to cover it up for you. He has done that for us a few times when someone else has made a mistake, he has helped up. He is in a good place, although disappointed like all the others that we dropped points from a winning situation one minute from the end.”
Slot also confirmed that forwards Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are “close” to returning but will not be available. The latter played an hour for Liverpool’s under-21s in midweek, scoring in a 4-3 defeat to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland as he began to build up his match fitness.
Alexis Mac Allister will miss the fixture due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card against Newcastle. Slot confirmed Ryan Gravenberch will start and it is expected Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai will partner him in midfield. Defenders Konstantinos Tsimikas, Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate remain out through injury.
Saturday will be Slot’s first experience of the Merseyside derby, which will be the last in the Premier League at Goodison Park with Everton moving to their new stadium next season. Slot knows the challenges that derby fixtures present and is expecting a “special” game.
“It is going to be special for everyone, for all the fans, players and managers involved,” Slot said. “To be part is already special and to be part of the last one at Goodison Park makes it even more special but it is only a nice experience if the result goes your way. That is what we are focusing on most.
“We have to be ready for a tough game against a good side, a well managed side and the fans will be loud, probably even louder than the Newcastle fans. We have to be prepared for everything.”
The Liverpool head coach watched last season’s 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park yesterday and highlighted the difference in the number of fouls conceded by Liverpool in the opening 30 minutes and Everton’s strength from set pieces.
“The main thing I have to know is their playing style, what we can expect,” said Slot. “You need to be aggressive because they will be, but we have to be aggressive in a concentrated, smart way. Last season we were very aggressive when we went out there, because I watched the game back yesterday, but after half an hour I was a bit surprised because Liverpool had the ball most of the time but there were ten fouls made by a Liverpool player and only one by an Everton one.
“Especially because they are a big threat from set pieces so every time we give away an unnecessary free kick that is not smart. We want to be aggressive, on the front foot, in every game we play. That will not be different now, but we always make a game plan try to adjust for the threats the other teams have and where we think we can hurt them.
“They are a very hard working team so if you want to talk about tactics you first have to match their work rate and we can. We have shown in all the games we work really hard as well.”
(Top photo: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
