Liverpool’s elimination from the FA Cup meant the end for Diego Cavallieri’s season. Provided that Pepe Reina doesn’t get injured (please, please, God, no) there’s very little hope for him to add to the three or so games that he has played in a Liverpool shirt. Rather a meagre return for a player who cost in excess of £3 million.

Then again, that sum could be viewed as insurance money. It is easy to preach of letting a young keeper fill that role, or at least it is until something happens to the regular number one. The fact is that you need someone who is experienced at handling the pressure of playing at this level and capable of doing the job at least in the short term.

Abilities and readiness, however, are two completely separate attributes and any player needs an abundance of both. As far as Cavallieri is concerned, the first is under some discussion after some hesitant showings whilst the second is clearly a liability. It cannot be any other way for someone who has barely played a competitive game all season.

Not that it should be that way because there is the perfect opportunity for him to get some match action: the reserves. Playing there would make even more sense for someone like Cavallieri who is coming from a football league that is completely alien to the English game. Sure, he wouldn’t be under the same kind of pressure in the reserves as he would in the Premiership, but it would give surely make him better prepared.