ONE OF THE BEST

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy by saying that it was one of the best goalkeeping performances by any goalkeeper he had seen in recent times. McCarthy was at his brilliant best in the recent 0-0 draw with Liverpool, as he managed to keep out a flurry of Liverpool shots on goal. On any other day, Liverpool would have comfortably won the match for the chances they created. McCarthy, though, was able to respond to any challenge put up by Liverpool on the evening. Incidentally, Rodgers sent McCarthy out on loan when he was the Reading manager.

He has said that the 23-year-old showed undoubted potential, but he had to be sent out on loan in order to get regular first-team football experience. McCarthy had made just seven appearances prior to the match against Liverpool. Former Reading manager relied primarily on the Australian – Adam Federici – despite making numerous mistakes. McCarthy’s last appearance was in the 3-1 defeat against Tottenham back in November. The former England U21 player ended up making an crucial saves over the course of the match to keep Liverpool out.

As a result of the two dropped points, Liverpool face stiff competition from West Brom for the seventh position.

“It was nice to come back with a bang. This was the first injury that’s kept me out for more than a couple of weeks so it’s disappointing being in the treatment room. But I’m now where I want to be. I can’t remember being at a game where a goalkeeper has performed like that, either as a manager, coach or spectator. He was brilliant,” said Liverpool manager Rodgers. “It came from in front of Sean Morrison so I saw it late. Overall, this is the best performance I’ve had,” said McCarthy after the match.