Premier League’s best backup goalkeepers rated – from worst to first
Being a Premier League backup goalkeeper is a strange career.
You train with world-class players week in, week out, but know without an injury to the club's No.1 you have little chance of featuring in the first-team.
Liverpool's second-choice keeper Adrian grasped his opportunity with both hands against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
Alisson suffered a calf injury against Norwich on the opening weekend of the season allowing the Spaniard to fill the space between the sticks.
The former West Ham shot-stopper was the penalty shoot-out king for Jurgen Klopp's men, saving Tammy Abraham's penalty and sealing victory.
But where does Adrian rank amongst the best backup goalkeepers in the Premier League?
Below, talkSPORT.com rates all 20 of the top flight's No.2s...
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20. Simon Moore - Sheffield United
The former Cardiff goalkeeper is yet to make a Premier League appearance during his career. Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson is well ahead him in the pecking order at Bramall Lane.
19. David Button - Brighton
Button excelled during a two-year spell with Brentford in the Championship, before sealing a switch to west London rivals Fulham.
After a promising start at Craven Cottage he was eventually displaced, and now acts as Mat Ryan's deputy at the Premier League club.
18. Artur Boruc - Bournemouth
Was Eddie Howe's first-choice keeper before Asmir Begovic joined from Chelsea two years ago.
The former Celtic shot-stopper now looks set for a spell on the bench after youngster Aaron Ramsdale was handed his first Premier League start against Sheffield United following an impressive pre-season campaign.
The Cherries also have Begovic and Mark Travers on their books.
17. Jed Steer - Aston Villa
Steer spent the first half of last season on loan at Charlton, where he impressed sufficiently enough to earn a recall to his parent club - who he helped earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
16. Roberto Jiminez Gago - West Ham
Roberto, who has played more than 300 senior matches in Spain, Portugal and Greece, joined the club on a free transfer this summer.
The 33-year-old was picked ahead of David Martin in pre-season when fans' favourite Lukasz Fabianski was out injured.
15. Jonas Lossl - Everton
Lossi was part of a side with the second-worst defence in the Premier League last season but was available on a free transfer which suited the Toffees.
Will act as Jordan Pickford's understudy at Goodison Park.
14. Karl Darlow - Newcastle
Darlow was once earmarked as a potential No 1 for the Magpies, but Martin Dubravka's arrival last summer put an end to that.
13. John Ruddy - Wolves
The former Norwich goalkeeper lost his place to Rui Patricio last season following the club's promotion to the Premier League in the 2017/18 campaign.
12. Wayne Hennessey - Crystal Palace
The Wales international endured a troublesome 2018/19 campaign, both on and off the field.
Faces a tough task in displacing Vicente Guaita as Roy Hodgson's No.1.
11. Joe Hart - Burnley
The former England international started last season as Sean Dyche's No 1, but that soon changed when Nick Pope and former Claret Tom Heaton overtook him in the standings.
This looks unlikely to change anytime soon with Pope now top dog.
10. Danny Ward - Leicester
The former Liverpool stopper sealed a £12.5million move to the King Power Stadium last summer, but Kasper Schmeichel remains the club's top dog.
9. Emiliano Martinez - Arsenal
Has had several loan spells away from the Emirates during his time at the club.
Impressed at Reading last season as they secured their Championship status.
8. Heurelho Gomes - Watford
Second choice to Ben Foster at Vicarage Road, but the 38-year-old enjoyed an extended run in the side during the Hornets fairytale run to the FA Cup final last season - where they would end up on the wrong end of a 6-0 drubbing to a simply relentless Manchester City side.
He seemed set to retire but will now carry on for one more campaign.
7. Ralf Fahrmann - Norwich
Joined the club this summer on a season-long loan deal from Schalke.
Tim Krul is the club's current No 1, but Fahrmann will be hoping for an opportunity to impress in the first team.
There is a potential permanent transfer on the horizon at the end of the season.
6. Adrian - Liverpool
Liverpool's hero in their dramatic UEFA Super Cup penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Had an indifferent time towards the end of his spell at West Ham, but the Spaniard is a decent backup option for the Reds.
5. Alex McCarthy - Southampton
There will be a three-way battle for the No 1 shirt again at St Mary's this season, with McCarthy facing strong competition in Angus Gunn and Fraser Forster.
4. Willy Caballero - Chelsea
One of the best penalty savers around.
The experienced shot-stopper, who was previously at Manchester City, has made 22 appearances for the Blues during his two-year spell at the club to date.
3. Paulo Gazzaniga - Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino has frequently used the Argentinian as his stand-in keeper for Hugo Lloris, when necessary.
The Frenchman endured an error-prone period at one stage last season, with calls for Gazzaniga to get more first-team opportunities.
2. Claudio Bravo - Manchester City
Recovered from a shaky first season in England to establish himself as a vital part of Pep Guardiola's squad.
The 36-year-old impressed as City secured their first silverware of the season against Liverpool in the Community Shield final.
1. Sergio Romero - Manchester United
An outstanding second choice goalkeeper for United to have on their books.
Has shown real composure between the sticks for the Red Devils, and will no doubt keep David De Gea on his toes again this season.
