Paul Robinson Praises Alisson’s Return Performance, Suggests Kelleher Seek First-Team Play

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson asserted that Alisson Becker demonstrated his status as “one of the best in the world” following his comeback performance against Girona. Alisson’s return to action resulted in Caoimhin Kelleher moving back to the bench, having served as a stand-in for 11 matches this season. Robinson conveyed his views to the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast, stating: “He is a big-game player and one of the best goalkeepers in the world.” He further elaborated, “It is his all-round game, in terms of making saves and dominating his box, that makes him the best. He can do the modern-day bit which is distribution with his feet, but he has not forgotten that the main art of a goalkeeper is to keep the ball out of the net.” Robinson acknowledged Kelleher’s situation, saying: “It is tough on Kelleher because he always does extremely well when he comes in and he would play at a lot of other clubs. But when you’ve got one of the world’s best in Alisson, you can see the effect he has on games.” He added that “Top clubs often have two goalkeepers and it takes a different mental strength to know your second choice. I think it is time for Kelleher to go and play first-team football. It is game time for him.”