Seven years after joining Liverpool as a teenager, Vitezslav Jaros finally made his debut against Crystal Palace. Arne Slot revealed in Post match conference that Jaros had requested a transfer during the summer window, but the move was denied.
The young goalkeeper was called into action for the first time on Saturday, coming off the bench to replace Alisson following an injury to the Reds’ first-choice shot-stopper.
With regular back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher out due to illness, third-choice keeper Vitezslav Jaros stepped up to finish the match at Selhurst Park. While Jaros didn’t have to make any standout saves, he remained a composed presence, helping Liverpool hold onto their 1-0 lead and solidify their place at the top of the Premier League table.
What it means for the Czech International
Jaros, 23 who earns a meagre £7,000 per week, as the third choice keeper joined Liverpool in 2017 had never previously played for the senior team as he was being loaned out on several occasions.
“It was very good to see. With Caoimhin being sick, our third goalkeeper got his chance. It is always nice for a team when everybody is involved.”
“He had a very good season, winning the league and cup where he was in Austria [on loan at Sturm Graz]. He wanted to go because he wanted to play but we stopped him because we needed a good third goalkeeper and we were right.”
Arne Slot in the Post match conference
Kelleher is likely to take over in goal after the international break, with Arne Slot confirming that Alisson could be sidelined for several weeks. Slot emphasised Alisson’s importance, calling him the best goalkeeper in the world and noting that his absence is a significant setback for both the player and the team. However, Slot highlighted the positive depth within the squad, stating that they have a strong second option, not only in the goalkeeper position but across almost every area of the team.
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Vitezslav Jaros’ unexpected debut against Crystal Palace is a testament to the depth in Liverpool’s goalkeeping. While Caoimhin Kelleher has already proven himself as the clear number two, Jaros’ composed performance highlighted his readiness to step up when called upon. With Kelleher set to take the Bars after the international break, Jaros has shown that even as the third-choice goalkeeper, he can still make a meaningful impact on the team’s results—a promising sign for future opportunities in his Liverpool career.