Liverpool recall rookie keeper Gulasci after suspended Doni joins Reina on sidelines
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UPDATED:
12:58 GMT, 11 April 2012
Liverpool have decided to bring back Peter Gulasci from his loan spell at Hull after their goalkeeper crisis deepened.
Alexander Doni was sent off in the 3-2 win at Blackburn on Tuesday night and now joins suspended Pepe Reina on the sidelines.
Brad Jones is set to start between the sticks in the crunch FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Everton at Wembley on Saturday.
Rookie: Peter Gulacsi is likely to be on the bench against Everton on Saturday
Over and out: Doni saw red for this foul on Hoilett
And now Gulasci is likely to be on the bench after being recalled from his stint at Hull.
Jones will be thrust into the spotlight at Wembley after Liverpool’s goalkeeper crisis deepened at Blackburn.
The Australian saved Yakubu's penalty
with his first touch before Andy Carroll secured a last-gasp 3-2 win
for the visitors, who played for 65 minutes with 10 men after No 2
keeper Alexander Doni was sent off for the foul on Yakubu which led to
the penalty.
Doni’s red card, coupled with Pepe Reina
serving the final match of his three-game ban, means Jones will play
against Everton.
Jones lost his five-year-old son Luca
to leukaemia in November but last week partner Dani gave birth to a boy
named Nico. ‘The supporters have been brilliant,’ said Jones.
Push off: Jones comes into contact with Yakubu, conceding a penalty
‘It’s been a difficult 18 months with
my son passing away, so that was for him and also for them giving the
support that they have.
'My girlfriend just gave birth to a little boy so
it’s been a big week. Now it’s just about preparing for the FA Cup
semi-final and making sure I’m ready.’
Jones last played for the first-team in December 2010 against Utrecht in the Europa League, but is fully focused on the important job standing in for Pepe Reina.
He added: 'It hasn't really sunk in yet and it's not something I was expecting but it's just a case of getting focused and getting ready for the game at the weekend.
'These things can happen in football and you have just got to be prepared and have it in your mind that it can happen at any time.
'It has been difficult not being involved and with everything that has gone on, but I've trained as hard as I can and done as much as I can and hopefully that can stand me in good stead.'
Dramatic winner: Carroll pounces to give Liverpool the points
WHO IS LIVERPOOL'S NO 3 KEEPER
Even though he wears the No 1 at
Liverpool, Brad Jones, 30, has been a back-up keeper most of his career,
making only 119 appearances in 13 years.
Where’s he been hiding
Born in Perth, Western Australia, the 6ft 3in shot stopper signed for Middlesbrough in March 1999. Had to wait until 2004 to make his debut but won a League Cup winner’s medal as a sub against Bolton.
What game time has he had
Became a regular for Boro during 2009-10, playing 24 times. Roy Hodgson took him to Anfield for 2million in August 2010.
Off the field he’s had a hard time, hasn’t he
In November last year his five-year-old son, Luca, died after an 18-month battle with leukaemia. But on April 4 his partner, Dani Lawrence, gave birth to another child, Nico Luca Jones. On Tuesday night, Miss Lawrence tweeted: ‘Me and Nico are so proud of you, whatever the final score is. Luca is watching #rip’
Jones had not been part of a
Liverpool squad until last weekend and the 30-year-old might have been
sent off himself in the second half after bringing down Yakubu for
another penalty, but referee Anthony Taylor opted to book him.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean had no
argument with that decision and Kenny Dalglish agreed with Taylor's call
to show yellow rather than red, though the Liverpool boss declined to
comment on the sending-off of Doni before he had seen a replay.
His club's fourth-choice keeper Peter
Gulacsi is on loan at Championship side Hull but Dalglish said they
have yet to decide whether to recall the Hungarian. The only other
option is 18-year-old Danny Ward.
Dalglish's side will face a 25,000
FA fine after having five players booked but they will head into the
season-defining showdown with Everton on a high after two goals from
Maxi Rodriguez and Carroll’s flying header.
The manager said: ‘It was great for
Brad’s first contribution for Liverpool in the Premier League to be a
penalty save. You have to give the boys credit after all the abuse they
have had recently. We will enjoy this win.’
Dalglish praised his players after they recovered from squandering a two-goal lead and Doni's sending off.
'We can't speak highly enough of the effort and commitment of the players. We went 2-0 up and then went down to 10 men,' Dalglish said.
'The supporters drove them forward and in the second half they came out and did really well.
Relieved: Dalglish (left) was pleased with the effort of his players
'At the end of the day we just about deserved to win. We are delighted for the players – it has not been the best of times for them.
'It doesn't mean to say we have turned any corners but it gives everyone a lift.'
Unlike on Saturday after the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa when Dalglish criticised decisions made by the referee, he would not comment on the issues arising out of Tuesday night's game.
No 1: Jones will start against Everton at Wembley
'We are delighted with the result and the three points and the only way we can handle the post-match press conference is to praise the players,' he added.
'At the end of the day we are not going to start talking about contentious decisions which happened on the pitch because I've not seen them.
'I'm not trying to be evasive, I'm trying to be practical and factually correct. Once I've seen them I will be better educated.
Dejected: Kean felt that Hanley has fouled in the build-up to Carroll's goal
'There is no point asking about anyone's sending off or anything else until we have seen the coverage.'
Kean felt Liverpool’s winning goal should have been ruled out after Martin Skrtel tangled with Grant Hanley in the build-up.
The Rovers boss said: ‘We feel there
was a blatant mistake. Maybe not by the referee but certainly by the
linesman. I never have a go at referees but we needed that flag to go
up.'
