Nigel Adkins could stick with Paulo Gazzaniga – despite the young keeper’s latest blunder.

Adkins has placed a lot of faith in the 20-year-old summer recruit from Gillingham, left, and is adamant the Argentinian will become a top stopper.

But it is hard to learn your trade in the Premier League, especially in such an exposed position, and three high profile errors in the last four games have thrust Gazzaniga into the spotlight.

With experienced keepers Kelvin Davis and Artur Boruc waiting in the wings, it was expected that Adkins would make a change after Gazzaniga’s howler gifted Norwich their equalising goal in the 1-1 midweek draw at St Mary’s.

That would have been the fourth time this season that Adkins had made a change of keeper, and none through injury.

However, Adkins has suggested that the youngster might yet face his sternest test to date, a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow.

One-time Liverpool schoolboy keeper Adkins said: “Listen, he is a young goalkeeper.

“Situations are going to be highlighted if we don't keep clean sheets, he doesn't make saves, doesn't kick the ball right, doesn't catch it.

“They just get highlighted and magnified even more so, but we've got to have confidence in the young man.

"We believe he is going to the very, very top and I have certainly got a lot of confidence in him.”

Gazzaniga was also at fault for the equaliser against Swansea recently and, while unbeaten in four matches, Saints could have been going to Anfield on the back of four successive wins had it not been for those mistakes.

“Likewise it could have been less if he hadn’t made the saves against Newcastle and other saves in other games,”

Adkins said in Gazzaniga’s defence.

Adkins’ comments suggest Gazzaniga will start again for Saints at Anfield, but he was coy when asked about the fitness of Danny Fox, Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow.

“On the training ground some of them were there this morning,” he said. “They’re getting closer to a return.”