Jurgen Klopp has revealed he prevented one Liverpool player in particular from leaving the club in the summer.

Caoimhin Kelleher was the subject of interest from the likes of Spurs, Brentford and Brighton (according to the Irish Independent) but the German tactician insisted that the stopper should remain on Merseyside despite having to settle for a place as back-up to Alisson Becker.

At the end of last season Klopp claimed that only an ‘extraordinary offer’ would make him even consider selling the 25-year-old and the former Borussia Dortmund boss has now admitted that the fact our No. 62 is classed as ‘homegrown’ also played a role in the decision to block any potential move away.

“We had discussions in the summer obviously about [moving on] but as long as we don’t have a solution we cannot loan players,” Klopp said (as quoted by 90min). “He is homegrown and the first responsibility is to do the best for Liverpool and then we have to see how we can sort it.

“Now obviously for him, it is a situation he did not want to have, but, obviously, somehow yes because you want opportunities, you want to play, now he will get a few games, definitely. I trust him.”

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With Alisson sustaining a hamstring injury during our 1-1 draw with Manchester City last weekend, Kelleher is not set for a spell in the starting XI.

The Irishman kept a clean sheet as we defeated LASK 4-0 at Anfield last night and he’ll be hoping for more of the same on Sunday when we welcome Fulham to L4.

He’s a brilliant ‘keeper but unfortunately for him he’s got the ex-Roma stopper ahead of him in the pecking order.

Our No. 1 is recognised by many as the best goalie in the world. So although Kelleher may not have played as many games as he would’ve liked at the age of 25, he will have learnt an awful lot from his teammate which will set him in good stead for the remainder of his career.

The Cork-born talent, who Klopp described as ‘exceptional‘ following last night’s victory, is under contract with the Reds until the summer of 2026.

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Jurgen Klopp will be looking to rotate his team ahead of the weekend’s clash with Fulham and has confirmed that one player will be making a rare start in the Premier League.

Speaking with the media, the German was asked whether Caoimhin Kelleher would start: “Yeah, no doubt. No doubt. We see him every day in training. He is an exceptional, exceptional talent.

“Maybe we don’t mention his name often enough, but it is a John Achterberg thing.

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“From day one when I am in, he told me this will be our homegrown boy who will make it. Since then, we see every step. He was a boy and now he’s a man. And yeah, top goalie, no doubt.”

After keeping a clean sheet against LASK, the Irishman will have some confidence going into the game with the Londoners and ahead of a string of games he’s likely to feature in, whilst Alisson Becker is injured.

The 25-year-old is, like many second-choice ‘keepers, starved of opportunities at Anfield and will be determined to grab this one with both hands.

You can watch Klopp’s comments on Kelleher (from 3:16) via BeanymanSports on YouTube:

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Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 victory over LASK at Anfield last night to book their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with a game to spare.

Nine changes were made to the side that drew with Manchester City on Saturday with only Kostas Tsimikas and Mo Salah retaining their spot in the starting XI.

One of the many changes came between the sticks with Caoimhin Kelleher once again deputising for Alisson Becker.

The latter sustained a hamstring injury during our clash with City at the weekend and is set for a spell on the sidelines meaning our No. 62 is set for an extended run in the side and last night was his ‘best display of the season’ according to The Athletic’s James Pearce on X:

Comfortably Kelleher's best display of the season so far. Has really looked the part tonight. Timely boost for him as he prepares to fill in for Alisson in the upcoming PL matches.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 30, 2023

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The Ireland international is a brilliant player. It’s just unfortunate for him that he’s up against one of the best ‘keepers in the world for a spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

At 25 years of age you would perhaps forgive Kelleher, who our German tactician has previously labelled as ‘exceptional’, for seeking a move away to a club where he’d be first choice but he’s continuing to work hard and let’s hope he can make the most of the run he’s about to get in the team.

He made a number of quality saves last night to ensure we kept a clean sheet and he’ll be eager to do exactly the same again when Fulham visit Anfield on Sunday.

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Richard Dunne was full of praise for one Liverpool player following Thursday night’s 4-0 win over LASK and seemed to hint that his Manchester United counterpart could learn a thing or two from the man in question.

Caoimhin Kelleher took his familiar position between the sticks for Europa League duty, with the microscope firmly placed on him amid the injury to Alisson Becker, and the 25-year-old rose to the task by keeping a clean sheet and making some important second-half saves.

Speaking on Virgin Media Sport, Dunne pointed out the contrasting fortunes of his fellow Irishman and Andre Onana, who endured an error-strewn game for the Red Devils in the Champions League the previous evening.

The ex-Manchester City defender said of Kelleher [via Balls.ie]: “He looked very comfortable in what he was doing. He looked well prepared and like he had been training well. His positioning is good, he seems to be in the right place at the right time.

“All the way through everything that happened to him, his movement and positions, was really good throughout.

“[LASK] had a few opportunities. There was 15 minutes where Liverpool sort of took their eye off the ball a bit. When you have a goalkeeper that makes saves like that, it breeds confidence into your defence.

“All of a sudden that panicky 15 minutes, like you see with Man United, the panic doesn’t go until they concede and then they attack again. Liverpool sort of shielded it out for 15 minutes, with the help of Caoimhín Kelleher.

“When there is no pass on, he will kick it as long as he can up the middle of the pitch. Play football as much as you can, but play it without risk. That’s what he did tonight.”

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Liverpool were largely comfortable during their 4-0 win over LASK, but it certainly wasn’t as if Kelleher was an idle bystander at Anfield last night.

As per Sofascore, the 25-year-old made three saves and overperformed on his xG conceded by 1.25, facing six shots from the Austrian visitors during the second half and making particularly good stops from Ibrahim Mustapha and Robert Zulj.

While the Irishman stood tall whenever LASK posed questions of him, Onana was found wanting during United’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray on Wednesday, being culpable of errors for two free kick goals and beaten on his near post for the Turkish side’s equaliser.

It was a game in which Erik ten Hag’s side looked comfortable when leading 3-1 early in the second half, but a fateful nine-minute period in which they conceded twice leaves them on the brink of Champions League elimination.

It’s hard not to be struck by the contrast in how Kelleher’s performance radiated confidence when Liverpool were briefly under the cosh last night, compared to the shakiness from Man United as they let two points slip in Turkey.

Reds fans may have a wry smile at the thought of our second-choice goalkeeper showing up his first-choice counterpart at Old Trafford!

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Caoimhin Kelleher produced what one journalist described as an ‘Alisson-esque’ moment in Liverpool’s Europa League clash against LASK tonight.

The 25-year-old is set to feature in the Reds’ forthcoming games due to the injury suffered by the Brazilian against Manchester City last weekend, which’ll likely see him sidelined until at least the middle of December.

Even with Jurgen Klopp’s side comfortably in front during the second half against their Austrian visitors, the Republic of Ireland stopper has still been called upon to thwart the away side, notably keeping out Ibrahim Mustapha in front of the Anfield Road Stand.

In the Liverpool Echo‘s live matchday blog (21:22), Squires wrote: “That was Alisson-esque from Kelleher. The Liverpool defence goes missing as LASK cross to an unmarked Mustapha in the box. He tries to round the Irishman and slot home, but the keeper stands tall and scrambles across to deny the forward. Had looked a certain goal.”

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Alisson’s injury has suddenly thrust Kelleher into the spotlight at Liverpool, but the Irishman’s strong save from Mustapha will give him plenty of confidence, and do likewise for Reds fans during the first-choice goalkeeper’s absence.

The 25-year-old has come good for us in the past in penalty shoot-outs, and he’s proving tonight that he’s also more than dependable from open play when his team needs him.

The Irishman hadn’t managed to keep a clean sheet in any of his previous five club appearances this season (Transfermarkt), so at the time of writing, he’ll be desperate to end that sequence against LASK.

As big a miss as Alisson will be, Liverpool are fortunate to have such a quality backup ‘keeper to call upon in Kelleher, who Jurgen Klopp must be very glad wasn’t sold in the summer despite abundant speculation to that effect.

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Jurgen Klopp is set to call upon a player who’s been on the periphery for much of his time at Liverpool but who, in the manager’s words, ‘deserves his opportunity’ to shine.

The 56-year-old confirmed on Wednesday that Alisson Becker will be injured for at least the next couple of weeks, which duly opens the door for Caoimhin Kelleher to get a run in the starting XI.

The Republic of Ireland international has yet to feature in the Premier League so far this season, instead having to make do with game-time in the Europa League and Carabao Cup (Transfermarkt).

However, Klopp outlined that the 25-year-old would’ve featured against LASK on Thursday regardless of what happened to Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, stating (via BBC Sport): “He [Kelleher] would have played anyway. He deserves his opportunity to get a few more games and hopefully he can show his full potential.”

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Only the continued brilliance of Alisson has prevented Kelleher from establishing himself at Anfield, with the Irishman making just 26 appearances for Liverpool up to this point (Transfermarkt).

However, he looks set to play tomorrow night and in the forthcoming Premier League games against Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, while he could be counted upon to face Manchester United and Arsenal later in December depending on how quickly the Brazilian recovers from injury.

The 25-year-old has come good for the Reds when called upon in the past, famously starring in the Carabao Cup final penalty shootout against Chelsea two seasons ago, and he’s proven particularly adept at thwarting the opposition from 12 yards out on many other occasions.

There was plenty of top-flight interest in Kelleher during the summer, and he’d reportedly been prepared to leave Liverpool in order to play more regularly elsewhere, but Klopp will now be hugely thankful that the club didn’t cash in on the Irishman.

Our number 62 will almost certainly stand down again once Alisson is fully fit, but over the next few weeks he has the perfect chance to show to his manager that perhaps the goalkeeping berth ought not to be as nailed-on as what it has been in recent years.

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Liverpool may have earned a point against against Manchester City on Saturday in what was a great result for Jurgen Klopp’s side but the game brought with it some disappointment for the Anfield outfit.

Diogo Jota was substituted in the second after appearing to pick up an injury while Alisson Becker played the full game but was clutching his hamstring during the final stages of the clash.

The full extent of the two injuries are yet to be discovered, however, but if our No. 1 is set for a spell on the sidelines it will open up an opportunity for Caoimhin Kelleher to deputise – a player who ‘might look for a transfer’ if his game time at L4 doesn’t improve according to journalist Dean Jones.

“Yeah, I think Alisson is probably more of a concern than Jota just because of the fact that Liverpool have got a lot of options that can alternate with Jota,” Jones told GIVEMESPORT. “But obviously, it’s not ideal, because you don’t want to lose him again. 

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“In terms of Kelleher, it’s something that he’s been crying out for. If he doesn’t get a chance properly at Liverpool this season, you do wonder if he might look for a transfer. There are certainly loads of clubs that have been sniffing around that situation over the course of this year.”

Kelleher is a brilliant ‘keeper in his own right but has understandably had to settle for a spot behind Alisson in Klopp’s pecking order.

The Ireland international has impressed when called upon down the years by our German tactician and it would be somewhat understandable if he was to push for a move away from the club.

It’s difficult for a player of his talent to spend so much time on the bench but the 25-year-old will be aware of how much he’s developed just from training alongside the ex-Roma man.

We certainly hope Alisson’s and Jota’s injuries are not too serious, but the prospect of our No. 62 receiving an extended run in the side is something that he’ll be looking to make the most of.

Premier League clubs, including Spurs, Brentford and Brighton (according to Irish Independent), were believed to be some of the sides interested in Kelleher towards the back end of last season with Klopp previously saying only an ‘extraordinary offer’ would make him consider selling the shot stopper.

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The worry which was etched across Jurgen Klopp’s face during stoppage time in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday may well have masked an underlying sense of enormous relief.

Along with every Reds supporter, the manager was grimacing at the sight of Alisson Becker grasping his hamstring in obvious discomfort, playing through the pain barrier to help see out a deserved point for his team.

We’ve yet to discover the full extent of any injury the 31-year-old may have incurred, but there have been educated suggestions that he may have played his last match of 2023.

There might be only 34 days left in the calendar year (including today), but the trouble is that Liverpool play nine more times before New Year’s revellers blast out Auld Lang Syne.

While watching Alisson struggle through the final few minutes at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Klopp might also have been thanking himself over his stance on Caoimhin Kelleher during the summer.

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Klopp could easily have sold Kelleher in the summer

It would’ve been no great surprise if the Republic of Ireland international moved on from Anfield during the off-season, with his Brazilian teammate a virtually immovable object in the starting XI and other Premier League clubs reportedly showing an interest in our number 62.

The Cork native is no longer a prodigious youngster who can afford to think long-term. He turned 25 last Thursday, the same age at which Alisson joined Liverpool and slightly older than Steven Gerrard was when he captained the club to Champions League glory in 2005.

His status as second choice on Merseyside was also hampering him at international level, with Gavin Bazunu starting all eight of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers despite playing in the Championship with Southampton. However, ‘playing’ is the word on which emphasis is to be placed.

It would’ve been impossible to begrudge Kelleher a move away from the Reds, such was Alisson’s unshakable status as number one, but the top-heavy workload that elite clubs must negotiate in the modern era has made football more of a squad game than ever before.

The Irishman will always get opportunities at Liverpool, particularly this season with the Europa League the continental diet being served up at Anfield, but he now looks set to be thrust into the limelight to a more sustained degree.

His tally of senior Reds appearances is only one greater than his age, but the 25-year-old has never let Klopp down when given the nod to start.

Klopp’s praise for ‘exceptional’ Kelleher

His clean sheet record is 10 out of 26 (38.5%), with Alisson’s clocking in at 108 out of 245 (44.1%), via Transfermarkt. No goalkeeper in Liverpool’s history has made more saves in penalty shoot-outs, with Kelleher making numerous vital contributions en route to our Carabao Cup triumph in 2022.

It was after that final against Chelsea that Klopp dubbed the Irishman ‘the best number-two goalie in the world’, also labelling him ‘exceptional‘ following his latest bout of penalty heroics in that competition against Derby County just over a year ago.

It’s a testament to the 25-year-old’s attitude that while he’s been prepared to leave Liverpool in search for more regular action rather than simply coasting as a backup ‘keeper, he’s never publicly moaned about being kept out of the starting XI by his Brazilian teammate for several years.

Goalkeepers know that they can often go for months without playing unless an opportunity presents itself through a colleague getting injured or suspended, but always need to be ready to step in at any moment incase the window to a starting berth opens.

With Alisson now looking set for a spell on the sidelines, Reds fans can take comfort in knowing that the very capable Kelleher is ready and waiting to come into the team.

With no disrespect intended to Adrian, he wouldn’t inspire the same confidence if he’d been first in line to replace the Brazilian, with flashbacks to those horrific performances against Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa in 2020 still likely to give Kopites nightmares.

Klopp made the right call

Klopp and Liverpool made it clear during the summer that they’d no intention of selling the Ireland international, unless a massive bid came in to persuade them otherwise.

It’s a stance that the manager – and indeed many Reds supporters – must be delighted he took, and he’ll now feel vindicated for recognising Kelleher’s true value to the squad, when other bosses or clubs could well have blinked and cashed in on the 25-year-old.

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Caoimhin Kelleher has been advised that he’s unlikely to ever get ahead of Alisson Becker without the Brazilian suffering an injury.

That shouldn’t shock many readers at Empire of the Kop given our No.1’s status as arguably the leading goalkeeper in world football.

With that in mind, Darren Randolph has advised our second-choice Irish stopper to depart the club in the interest of furthering his career.

“I think it’s brilliant for Caoimhin to be at Liverpool and to play in the games he plays in, but I think for his career and his development to set his own path he may need to leave,” the pundit spoke on Virgin Media Sport (via The Boot Room). “Realistically he has Alisson in front of him and barring injury, he’s going to be there for a long time.”

Whilst the former Ringmahon Rangers goalkeeper has collected five appearances already this season, it’s indeed far too few for a player of his quality.

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What a void it would leave

Just to make it clear: we’re fully in support of Kelleher finding a new club in the window or two if that is indeed his wish.

The 24-year-old has been a marvellous servant for the club, playing a key part in our cup runs of 2021/22, not to mention being arguably the leading No.2 ‘keeper in England in recent years.

Playing behind Alisson, though, you have to accept that you’re highly unlikely to be a regular starter for the foreseeable future. It’s simply not a tenable position for a footballer who has aspirations of being his nation’s first-choice shotstopper.

Selfishly, on our end, of course, it would leave quite the void for us to fill.

Perhaps it creates an opportunity for one of younger stars, of the likes of Marcelo Pitaluga and Co.?

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Caoimhin Kelleher has been one of the main beneficiaries of the Europa League this season and the ‘keeper has his eyes on the next round.

Speaking with liverpoolfc.com, the 24-year-old said: ‘Yeah, I think the main objective was always qualifying first from the group. So, I think if we can do that as early as we can, then we’ll be happy. We’re preparing for a win and we want to get the win.

Speaking about his hopes for the rest of the competition, he added: ‘Exactly. Like we always do, our main aim is to win any competition we’re in. But we have to take that step by step and we’ve taken this competition very seriously from the start. So I think we’ll just look to continue it and hopefully wrap up qualification by the end of this game’.

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Although we all would prefer to have qualified for the Champions League this season, it’s been somewhat of a blessing in disguise to be in the second tier of European competition.

The ability to rotate the side means that we are not forced to play our best team for every minute of every game.

This has meant whenever there have been any injuries or suspensions to cover, we’ve had able replacements who already have minutes under their belts.

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As well as this, it’s kept competition high and in Ryan Gravenberch we’ve seen a player who started as a rotation option but is now starting Premier League games.

The chance for Jurgen Klopp to be able to make all his players happy, whilst keeping a winning team on the pitch – is great.

Now it’s over to the Irishman to keep taking his chances and although replacing Alisson Becker is all but impossible, being ready to perform when called upon is easier with the more time you’re on the pitch.

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Damien Delaney has insisted Caoimhin Kelleher cannot afford to make mistakes when offered a chance by Jurgen Klopp and has suggested the Irishman should move on from Liverpool in search of regular minutes.

Our No. 62, who was handed a rare start last night as the Reds thrashed Toulouse 5-1 at Anfield, has had to settle for a spot behind Alisson Becker in Klopp’s pecking order between the sticks for the last few years.

There’s no shame in playing second fiddle to the Brazilian – who is recognised as the best ‘keeper in the world by many – but the Republic of Ireland international made a huge error against the French outfit last night only for Trent Alexander-Arnold to spare his blushes with a block on the goal line.

“[He had] very little do, but you can’t help but think of the mistake,” Delaney told Virgin Media (via Sports Joe). “He’s a goalkeeper that is getting few chances and he can’t make mistakes like he made the one that was taken off the line.

“When you’re a young goalkeeper trying to make your way in the game, you can’t do stuff like that. It’s just a moment of panic.

“For a goalkeeper that’s supposed to be so good with his feet, perhaps have a touch there or there’s nothing wrong with getting it out for a throw-in. He just slashes at it and Trent saves his blushes, or that attacker does I suppose with the miss.

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“You can’t make those mistakes if you’re a goalkeeper at a club like Liverpool if you want to get more minutes and more games. He is pushing on in age now; perhaps it is time to get out and play regular football.

“It is difficult [to come in after long absences], but you have to do it. He has obviously chosen to stay there, be number two and accept that he is going to play in cup games.

“You can’t make those mistakes. He needs to learn quickly that when you are given those chances you need to be flawless, you have to be perfect.”

It was a poor error from Kelleher but he was let off due to a combination of a tame effort from the striker and some good positioning from Alexander-Arnold.

The 24-year-old, who Klopp has previously labelled as ‘exceptional’ (as quoted by Liverpoolfc.com), had no chance with Toulouse’s equaliser and then had little else to do during the 90 minutes.

It’s always hard for a player, especially a ‘keeper, to perform at their best with a lack of rhythm and regular game time so we’re not too concerned by the incident.

The Cork-born talent has been superb when called upon by our German tactician – including his fine performance during our League Cup final defeat of Chelsea during the 2021/22 campaign.

He will continue to be selected when available for domestic and European cup competitions and we look forward to seeing him prove why he’s one of the best numbers twos around!

In the summer, however, it’ll be interesting to see the decision Kelleher makes if an offer is received for his services.

Klopp claimed last season that only an ‘exceptional offer’ would make him consider selling the shot-stopper amid reported interest from Spurs, Brentford and Brighton (Irish Independent).

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Caoimhin Kelleher can count himself a very, very lucky boy after a blunder early on in the second-half almost saw Liverpool’s lead cut against Toulouse.

The Irishman found himself in need of assistance from skipper Trent Alexander-Arnold as a poor clearance fell into the path of an opponent who gleefully teed up Gabriel Suazo.

The right-back held his ground on the goal line, however, and kept the eventual shot out of the net – much to the incredulity of Jurgen Klopp’s counterpart in the technical area.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of TNT Sports (via @LFCli_ysf):

Trent Alexander-Arnold tarihin en iyi sağ bekidir pic.twitter.com/Qfjn0PZN7p

— Arnold'cu Bey (@LFCli_ysf) October 26, 2023

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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has endured a frustrating start to October after news emerged of an injury to the 24-year-old.

He was a notable absentee from the Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar, with the 24-man pick being announced by the FAI on Thursday afternoon.

As per Liverpool Echo, his national team boss Stephen Kenny bemoaned the ‘unfortunate’ timing of the body blow, which saw 12 stitches inserted to the netminder’s knee joint following a training ground collision which’ll see him sidelined for several weeks.

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The injury has deprived Kelleher of what had seemed a certain appearance in tonight’s Europa League clash against Union Saint-Gilloise, along with his place in the Ireland squad for their upcoming matches.

The 24-year-old has never let Liverpool down when called upon, being hailed as ‘exceptional‘ by Jurgen Klopp last year after his penalty shoot-out heroics against Derby in the Carabao Cup.

The Irishman has simply been the victim of unfortunate timing to find himself at Anfield at the same time as Alisson Becker, who despite his Yashin Trophy snub has legitimate grounds to be regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world.

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Kelleher could well miss the Europa League game against Toulouse and Carabao Cup trip to Bournemouth either side of Halloween, two fixtures he’d have been expecting to start had he been available.

His misfortune may provide backup goalkeepers Viteszslav Jaros, Marcelo Pitaluga and Fabian Mrozek with an opportunity of featuring in matchday squads for the first team this month, or potentially even starting if Alisson is rested in some games.

Hopefully the Cork native will recover quickly from his horribly-timed injury and be back to remind us all that he’s the best second-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League.

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Pep Lijnders has named one Liverpool player who he’s glad to have seen staying at Anfield despite a plethora of exit links during the summer transfer window.

Mo Salah might seem the obvious name who springs to mind after the Reds refused to entertain a £150m offer from Saudi Arabia (The Guardian), but in this instance Jurgen Klopp’s assistant was talking about Caoimhin Kelleher.

There were numerous clubs linked with the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper over the summer (Irish Independent), with his international boss Stephen Kenny publicly urging him to move on from Merseyside (BBC Sport), but the 24-year-old remains at LFC.

He’s set to feature in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Leicester, ahead of which Lijnders gave him some lofty praise.

The Liverpool assistant manager said in this afternoon’s pre-match press conference (via Liverpool Echo): “Kelleher has a long-term contract. He can play in any team in Premier League, a world-class goalkeeper and we give compliment for Alisson’s role.

“Kelleher needs game time. It’s good he stayed with us and Jurgen gave him perspective.”

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Few would’ve begrudged Kelleher a move away from Liverpool if he had left in the summer, considering that the constant brilliance of Alisson is depriving an outstanding goalkeeper from getting the regular game-time that he deserves.

The Irishman has never left the Reds down when called upon, frequently proving a hero in penalty shootouts and helping us to Carabao Cup glory two seasons ago, while also playing for some of the triumphant FA Cup run.

His patient wait for an appearance this term ended when he was selected for the Europa League clash against LASK, and there was little he could do to keep out Florian Flecker’s early piledriver.

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Kelleher will likely be dependent once again on the cup competitions for game-time at Liverpool in 2023/24, but as we saw during the title-winning season, Alisson may sometimes need to be replaced if he’s unavailable.

That’s why the Reds were so keen to hold onto the Cork native, who would indeed be more than good enough to be a first-choice at almost any Premier League club but is thankfully still part of Klopp’s squad.

Losing Alisson at any moment would obviously be a hammer blow for LFC, but it’d be softened considerably by having the excellent 24-year-old ready to step in and come good again.

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The post Pep Lijnders relieved that ‘world-class’ Liverpool ace didn’t leave in the summer – it’s not Salah appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

John Aldridge has sung the praises of Liverpool’s No.2 shotstopper, Caoimhin Kelleher, ahead of the Reds’ opening Europa League clash this evening.

The Irishman is expected to be the man favoured between the sticks against LASK, a responsibility that could see him return to the Republic of Ireland for a chance to lift the trophy in Dublin, were Jurgen Klopp’s men to go all the way.

“Kelleher is the best back-up keeper in the Premier League and it would be great to see him get a run of games in the Europa League,” the former Red wrote in his column for The Sunday World. “Then if Liverpool get to the final in Dublin next summer, wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Irishman between the sticks and, maybe, lifting another trophy.”

Already a cup-winning goalkeeper following his exploits in the Carabao Cup final, the 24-year-old has been nothing short of a phenomenal servant to the club in his four-year (and counting) stint.

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A welcome surprise to see Kelleher remain

To tell the truth, we were a little surprised to see the Irishman remain at Anfield given his obvious quality.

Indeed, we highly doubt any one of Jurgen Klopp or another decision-maker at L4 would have stood in Kelleher’s way had a reasonable offer, that both player and club found attractive, arrived.

We’re delighted nonetheless to have a goalkeeper of such quality still available in the ranks, of course, and it would no doubt be special to see the former Ringmahon Rangers star potentially playing a role in another final for us in his home country.

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