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Claudio Taffarel, Vitezslav Jaros, Caoimhin Kelleher, Alisson Becker, Harvey Davies and Fabian Otte of Liverpool during a training session at the AXA Training Centre back in February(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

There's no role quite as unique in football as that of the number two goalkeeper.

Particularly when the player ahead in the queue happens to be arguably the world's greatest proponent of the art.

Such has been the case at Liverpool ever since Alisson Becker arrived from Roma in the summer of 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers the club has ever employed.

Given the likes of Ray Clemence and, going much further back, Elisha Scott have been among his predecessors, it is not a claim made lightly.

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With Alisson having a year left on his current deal with Liverpool almost certain to take up their option of a further 12 months, a parting of the ways with the Brazilian is not imminent.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Alisson's long-time deputy, has departed to become a number one goalkeeper in his own right at Brentford in a £18million deal, while Ajax - now helmed by former Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga - want to take 23-year-old Vitezlsav Jaros on loan for the forthcoming campaign.

Coming the other way, Giorgi Mamardashvili is arriving this summer after a £29m transfer was agreed with Valencia last year, while the Reds at the weekend snapped up 20-year-old Armin Pecsi from Hungarian side Puskas Akademia in a £1.5m deal.

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Pecsi will train with the first team but is expected to cut his teeth with the under-21 side initially.

And with Harvey Davies, the 21-year-old homegrown goalkeeper, expected to sign a new contract before a likely loan move, there's a possibility Pecsi could soon be elevated to third choice.

While Mamardashvili has made no secret of his willingness to fight Alisson for the number one spot, there will be little doubt over who Liverpool head coach Arne Slot regards as his first choice come the start of the new season.

But recent history suggests those behind the Brazilian will be rewarded for their patience with both game time and silverware.

Adrian made only 26 appearances over five years at Liverpool, but in that time started the UEFA Super Cup final win over Chelsea in 2019, made 11 outings when the Premier League title was won in 2020 and was on the bench for the League Cup final win over the Londoners in 2024.

Kelleher, meanwhile, was in the matchday squad for the Champions League win over Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, started both League Cup final triumphs against Chelsea in 2022 and 2024, was among the substitutes against the same team in the FA Cup final win three years ago and played 10 times in the league this season as a record-equalling 20th title was won.

The Irishman eventually totalled 67 appearances for Liverpool, 46 of which came in the last two campaigns with Alisson hampered by hamstring and other injuries.

Jaros featured twice for the first team this term, making his Liverpool debut when, with Kelleher ill, he replaced Alisson late on in the Premier League win at Crystal Palace and later starting the League Cup triumph at Brighton.

And with Simon Mignolet making two outings in Alisson's debut season - and also on the bench in the Champions League final six years ago - it means Liverpool's deputy goalkeepers have totalled 97 games in the last seven years and merited multiple winners' medals.

Alisson, of course, can't go on forever.

He will have served nine years at Liverpool come the end of his current contract, and it will be intriguing to see what the next move then is from both player and club.

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For some context, Peter Schmeichel spent eight years at Manchester United, Petr Cech 11 with Chelsea and Ederson has currently racked up eight at Manchester City.

Alisson remains Liverpool's number one.
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