Liverpool's Alisson issue is becoming too GLARING to ignore

Liverpool have been leaking far too many goals in recent weeks.

For a team that's top of the Premier League and the Champions League group phase, their defensive record hasn't been brilliant of late and it could end up costing them big.

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Earlier this season their clean sheet record was formidable, conceding only twice for example in their first seven Premier League matches.

But things aren't so secure these days.

Between the clean sheet against Manchester City on December 1 until the kick-off in the Reds' game against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, they'd conceded 11 goals in the league across only six games.

That run incorporates three concessions each in the games against Newcastle and Tottenham as well as the two shipped against Manchester United.

Liverpool are probably still doing enough to win at the other end but their goals-against record is ticking up all too quickly.

And part of the issue has been the lack of form of Alisson Becker.

While the Brazilian No1 returned to the team in unbelievable form against Girona in the Champions League, it's been far from plain sailing since then.

Including Chris Wood's goal for Forest in the first half of the game at the City Ground, the 32-year-old conceded NINE of the previous 15 shots he faced in the Premier League.

That kind of concession rate is far beneath the standard Alisson has usually set himself as a former FIFA The Best goalkeeper of the year.

Maybe the injuries are taking their toll or maybe the former Roma man is still a bit ring rusty. But it's clear something needs to change before Liverpool's title charge is derailed.

Do Liverpool need to replace Alisson?

Waiting in the wings is Caoimhin Kelleher, who a lot of Liverpool fans thought was hard done by when he was dropped the minute Alisson was back fit.

Kelleher had performed superbly between the sticks during Alisson's run on the sidelines, featuring in big, important wins against the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City. There was however a mistake late on in the league game at Newcastle.

Aside from that, Alisson was barely missed through his injury-enforced absence even if Arne Slot has always made it clear that the South American is his No1.

But when does that come up for consideration?

At some stage Slot is going to have to decide if Alisson is in the lineup based on form or reputation. And it was the latter that got him straight back into the team.

A parting of the ways seems inevitable with Kelleher, who wants to be a No1 in his own right and who Liverpool would like to earn some money on.

Next summer Giorgi Mamardashvili arrives at Anfield and the Georgian has made it clear he is not coming to play second fiddle.

It could be possible that Liverpool opt to cash in on Alisson as well - with Saudi teams interested - or else let him leave for a return to Brazil.

His form had better pick up and fast or else it could end up with Mamardashvili displacing him as No1 should he remain. That's if Kelleher doesn't get there first.

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