Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp did not stick to his word when it came to who would line up between the sticks for the Reds in the FA Cup.
Klopp's men made the trip to Molineux to take on Wolves in what was a hard fought FA Cup third round replay that saw Liverpool run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half Harvey Elliot wonder-strike. In goal for the Reds was the usual number two Caoimhín Kelleher in place of the usual first-choice shot-stopper Alisson.
This came as quite the surprise to the Liverpool travelling faithful and those Reds fans watching on from home considering just under a fortnight ago Klopp declared Alisson would remain between the sticks for FA Cup games.
Speaking before the 2-2 draw that forced this tie to a replay, Klopp was asked who would be in goal and he replied: "It was always Alisson. Last year, I forgot the exact reason, Caoimhin played one game – I think Ali only came back the day before the game. It is clear we have Caoimhin, [but] it’s Alisson."
That was until the Brazilian international made a disastrous error during the first meeting with Wolves that saw Goncalo Guedes put the Midlands-based outfit in front early on at Anfield.
It would seem that this mistake inspired Klopp to re-think his original stance on the matter, with Kelleher earning some minutes and even keeping a clean sheet for the replayed fixture.
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Despite this, it is unlikely the young Irishman keeps his place for Liverpool's next league outing at home to fellow 'big-six' outfit Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
The clash could play a pivotal part in how Liverpool's second half of the season unfolds, with the Reds enduring some torrid results of late including a humiliating 3-0 defeat by Brighton at the Amex last weekend.
It will therefore come as unwelcome news to the Liverpool fanbase that it is the Seagulls who await them on the south coast in the fourth round on January 29.
Following Tuesday night's victory over Wolves, Klopp admitted it felt good to get back to winning ways and heaped praise on his players for their efforts.
"It feels like ages ago we had a feeling of winning and playing well. We had to fight hard at the end which we controlled for long periods. It is great and the reaction we wanted to see," the Reds boss explained.
"I had a few man of the match performances today. We played a really good first half, had good periods in the second and in the end it was just passion to block the shots. A cup game, great."
