Arne Slot 'comfortable' turning to forgotten Liverpool signing who has still not made debut

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he is “comfortable” turning to an unused Liverpool signing, despite the player still awaiting a first-team debut since signing in the summer

Armin Pecsi is yet to make his first-team debut for Liverpool since joining in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot haas said he is "comfortable" relying on Armin Pecsi despite the fact that the young goalkeeper is still waiting for his Liverpool debut.

Pecsi joined Liverpool from Puskas Akademia last summer and has since been a regular feature for the club’s Under-21 side throughout the season. He has also spent time training with Liverpool’s senior goalkeeping group, working alongside established names including Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili, while also expressing admiration for the Liverpool and Brazil No. 1.

After Mamardashvili was stretchered off during the Merseyside derby last weekend, Slot called on third-choice shotstopper Freddie Woodman to make his Reds Premier League debut.

With Mamardashvili sidelined and doubts on whether Alisson is ready to return to the team, Woodman could start in goal against Crystal Palace, while Pecsi would be expected to be the back-up goalkeeper.

During his pre-Palace press conference, Slot stated that if a situation similar to Everton occurred on Saturday that he would feel confident in using the young Hungarian. "He was on the bench last week because we were short on players" said the Dutchman. "He will be tomorrow. We think we signed a very talented goalkeeper and he has already played minutes for the Under-21s.

"If you do finishing drills with our attackers, you will improve. He is still very young but we think he can definitely play for us. Is he at the level of Alisson? No. But it would fit the season completely if something happened to Freddie tomorrow. If Armin comes in, I would be completely comfortable. He has a very good instinct and reads the game very well.

Alisson is in line to return to side for the meeting with Oliver Glasner's side after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since mid-March, however Slot admitted the game might come "too soon" for the Brazilian.

Armin Pecsi has mainly featured for Liverpool's U21s this season

Speaking in Friday's press conference, Slot said: "No, Giorgi will definitely not be available for tomorrow and for the upcoming weeks. Ali is close to a return of play. Let’s see if tomorrow comes too early, yes or no. That leaves Woodman as an option who is definitely fit.."

Should he be called upon, Woodman would make only his third appearance for the Reds since joining last summer, and just his fifth career start in the Premier League. Slot insisted the third-choice goalkeeper is “ready” if required. Slot also confirmed that Liverpool is actively investigating the underlying reasons behind Alisson’s recurring hamstring issues, as the club works to manage the goalkeeper’s fitness and reduce the risk of further setbacks.

Liverpool heads into clash at Anfield aiming to bolster its push for a top-five finish, with the opportunity to move eight points clear of Brighton & Hove Albion in sixth place if it secures a victory over Palace.

The Reds are now within touching distance of securing Champions League qualification, with a maximum of three wins from their final five matches enough to guarantee their place mathematically. That requirement could be reduced further depending on results elsewhere, with rivals continuing to drop points.