Caoimhín Kelleher set to continue in goal for Liverpool

Caoimhín Kelleher will continue in goal for Liverpool this weekend and is in line to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, as Alisson Becker is not yet ready for a return to action.

Liverpool face Southampton on Sunday and manager Arne Slot confirmed that Alisson is certain to miss that game, with Kelleher deputising between the posts.

Slot also admitted Wednesday's clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League looks to have come too early for the Brazilian goalkeeper, with Kelleher set to be entrusted against the European giants.

"Alisson? We're careful with everyone when it comes to muscle injuries," Slot said when asked about his return to action.

"He is back in training with goalkeeper coach and not training with the team but that is expected soon. Let's wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness, getting better and better but not ready."

Kelleher has lined out for the Reds in six of their last seven games, in place of Alisson who picked up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace at the start of October.

Since then, the Reds have gone on a winning run, dropping just two points with Kelleher playing a starring role and keeping three clean sheets, helping them to big wins over Chelsea, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen.