ANFIELD is the acid test for any goalkeeper.
Especially when you consider that Liverpool have lost only three of their past 83 Premier League home games across five seasons.
But that is the enormous task Manchester United rookie Senne Lammens faces against the Prem champions when English football’s arch rivals collide on Sunday.
The Belgian shot-stopper, 23 — who made his Red Devils debut in the 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break — prepared for the visit to Merseyside by sitting on the bench for his country in Cardiff for Monday’s 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over Wales.
Lammens was next to fellow Prem keeper Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest as the understudies to Real Madrid’s No 1 Thibaut Courtois.
And ahead of facing the Anfield bearpit this weekend, 107-cap Courtois offered a piece of advice for Lammens — who had only one full season in the Belgian top flight under his belt before his £18.2million summer move from Royal Antwerp.
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Former Chelsea stalwart Courtois, 33, said: “It’s a hard stadium. Maybe I should tell him to clap the home fans when he arrives at the Kop!”
There is a tradition among the Kop of clapping opposition keepers.
And while that might be a nice respectful touch when Courtois rocks up playing for Real or Chelsea, it is unlikely to work for Lammens if he approaches the famous stand while wearing a United jersey.
The spotlight on Lammens will be intense and the fans behind that goal red-hot, but he made an impressive solid start in the Old Trafford victory over the Black Cats.
Lammens kept a clean sheet on his debut and was even serenaded with “Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” from supporters in reference to the club’s 1999 Treble-winning goalkeeping legend Peter.
The Belgian is expected to keep his spot ahead of Altay Bayindir, who has made a series of mistakes this season, for what will be a baptism of fire on Merseyside.
But Courtois reckons 6ft 4in Lammens has all the ingredients to be a smash hit for manager Ruben Amorim’s United.
Lammens has been taking tips from the best No 1s — Courtois because of his reflexes, Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his shot-stopping along with fellow German Manuel Neuer, and Simon Mignolet for his diet and dedication in the gym.
The rising keeper — who is primarily right-footed — is also able to play out with his left foot.
And off the pitch he has a notebook in which he jots down details of how his opponents like to dribble, press, shoot and take penalties.
But for all his preparation and meticulous attention to detail, Lammens knows he has to prove himself to United supporters.
‘He can do a good job’
Former players have questioned whether he has the stature to keep goal for a club that has had greats such as Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea.
Courtois — who made a similar step up when he joined Chelsea from Genk in 2009 — added: “His first game was a flavour of what United will get. He’s a tall guy, he is not afraid to come on crosses and he’s a kid with personality.
“I’m sure he can do a good job. He has a tough game this weekend so I hope if he plays, it will go well for him. All the best to him.”
Courtois will himself keep goal in front of the Kop when Real travel to Liverpool in the Champions League group stage early next month.
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He said: “I will go there myself in a few weeks. It’s always a tough game there and I guess Liverpool also have to bounce back after losing a few games.”
The big problem for Lammens and United is those three defeats have all come away from home and now they return to Fortress Anfield.
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