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Liverpool back-up goalkeeper, Adrian. PA Wire/PA Images

Alexander-Arnold confident in Adrian's ability in the absence of injured Alisson

The Reds’ back-up goalkeeper is likely to play a key role while the Brazilian recovers.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is confident Adrian can fill the void left by Alisson between the sticks for Liverpool over the next few weeks after an encouraging debut.

The Reds picked up a 4-1 win over Norwich City on the opening day of the new Premier League season, but Alisson was forced to withdraw in the first half with a suspected calf injury .

Adrian, who secured a move to Anfield on a free transfer following his release by West Ham, came on for his first appearance in Liverpool colours and performed well against the newly-promoted Canaries.

The Spanish shot-stopper was denied a clean sheet when Teemu Pukki netted a 64th-minute consolation goal for the visitors, but he looks set to remain in the starting line-up for upcoming fixtures.

Alisson is likely to miss up to eight weeks of action while he recovers from injury, and Alexander-Arnold is certain Adrian has the qualities to replace the Brazil international for the time being.

“[His experience] is the main thing, he knows what he is doing. He’s played a load of games, so he knows what it is about,” the 20-year-old told the Evening Standard.

“The reception he got [on Friday], I think he feels as though the supporters are already behind him. 

Obviously when a keeper has to come off, it’s never too promising, so yes, I think everyone needs to get their head around [the fact] that he probably will be our keeper for the next few weeks and if so, then we have to live with that, embrace that and I’m sure he will learn from us. 

“We will be able to make good connections with him and I think a lot of the lads have made bonds with him already because he’s such a good lad off the pitch. 

“He’s a great lad to have around and obviously he is playing now, that is good for him and us.”

Liverpool v Norwich City - Premier League - Anfield Alisson leaves the pitch during the opening game of the season with an injury. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

The injury also provides an opportunity for Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to move up the pecking order at Anfield.

The 20-year-old is still recovering from a broken hand and manager Jurgen Klopp on Saturday insisted he will be monitoring the Cork native’s rehab.

“Caoimhin is back in training but he’s not 100%, we have to see how he reacts now,” he said.

One of the younger [goalkeepers] is not allowed to play, he’s only 16, and the other one had an elbow injury early in the preseason. So yeah, we’re a bit short in that position.”

Super Cup

Alexander-Arnold provided a superb assist for Divock Origi to score in the win over Norwich, picking up from where he left off last season on the right-hand side of the defence.

An own-goal from Grant Hanley, a Mohamed Salah strike and a Virgil van Dijk header completed the scoring for Liverpool, who now sit third in the Premier League after the first round of matches.

Next up for the Reds is the Uefa Super Cup against Chelsea on Wednesday, and Alexander-Arnold feels a high standard has already been set as the new campaign gets into full swing.

“I think the lads are back and they have hit the ground running. It’s good for us to have them back and in-form straight away,” he added. 

Obviously Virg popping up with a goal again shows that this season will hopefully replicate last season with everyone chipping in with goals and hopefully the attackers don’t feel that it is just them that need to produce the goals and it is a team effort. 

“So yes, I think, so far so good and of course it’s still early days, but it is good to set the standard we have today.”

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    Mute Daniel Goddard
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    Aug 12th 2019, 3:13 PM

    Alexander-Arnold is one to talk. He is a bang average player.

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    Mute Sean Mooney
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    Aug 12th 2019, 4:32 PM

    @Daniel Goddard: 12 Assists last season, 5 more than Scholes managed on his best season (7) but yeah… Average?

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    Mute Daniel Goddard
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    Aug 12th 2019, 5:33 PM

    @Sean Mooney: yes average.

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    Mute Patrick Fitzgerald
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    Aug 12th 2019, 5:37 PM

    @Daniel Goddard: of all the trolling ive seen that is the worst attempt

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    Aug 12th 2019, 5:46 PM

    @Patrick Fitzgerald: Thanks.

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Aug 12th 2019, 7:16 PM

    @Sean Mooney: 11 league titles and 2 european cups for Scholes plus all the other cups. Great comparison of players a right full to a centre mid. TAA is an excellent full back best of luck to him finishing his career with 11 league titles.

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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Aug 12th 2019, 7:27 PM

    @Derek Trotter: How does having more medals make you a better player? That works in individual sports but not team sports. Man United won all those trophies, not Scholes on his own. Djimi Traore has a Champions League Medal, Shearer doesn’t. By your logic, Traore was the better player!

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Aug 12th 2019, 7:49 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: you ve lost me pal I’m very sure paul Scholes won 11 leagues and if TAA goes on to win close to that he ll be one hell of a player too. A shearer is a Cf and J Traore was a defender so another great comparison. So by your logic gary Neville is better than mo Salah! Shake your head pal. Ps shearer won a league title so hes better than Jimmu

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Aug 12th 2019, 7:51 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: to answer your question how does the more medals you have make you better ? Really ? Jesus Christ lad ask Alan Hanson, phil neal, ryan Giggs etc etc etc

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Aug 13th 2019, 5:52 AM

    @Sean Mooney: TAA is not average, he’s far better. But to compare a full back and a central midfielder is just silly. Especially when one is bound to get more assists while the other should be getting more goals (as Scholes did) TAA never scored as many goals in a season as Andy Cole, doesn’t mean he’s any better or worse, they both have different roles.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Aug 12th 2019, 4:39 PM

    Adrián is a good keeper.

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    Mute Seaniecp
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    Aug 12th 2019, 5:19 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: he is yeah. I don’t have to many concerns with tmwhats happened.

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    Mute A Cos
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    Aug 12th 2019, 3:53 PM

    In other words, we have no other choice so we better support him

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