Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of the game against Fulham tomorrow.
The Reds look like they’re back to their best. They are definitely in a title race this time, and Alisson Becker will be key for them. However, the Brazilian is currently injured, and Kelleher will take his place. Klopp is convinced he’s ready to be the number one.
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher is ‘exceptional’
Caoimhin Kelleher has been at Liverpool since 2015, but he has never quite been the club’s first-choice.
Alisson is the undisputed number one at the club, which is why the Ireland international has been linked with a move away from Anfield on a few occasions.
However, Liverpool have managed to keep hold of him, and with Alisson out injured now, Kelleher is all set to start in the Premier League against Fulham tomorrow.
The Irishman isn’t quite on the same level as Alisson, but he is still a solid goalkeeper. He is more than capable of filling in, and Klopp seems to be a big fan of him.
When asked if Kelleher is ready to be the number one, the German said, as quoted by Liverpool’s official website: “Yeah, no doubt. No doubt.
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“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.
“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.”
Liverpool’s Kelleher is good enough to be the number one elsewhere
Not many clubs in the Premier League have a number two goalkeeper as good as Caoimhin Kelleher.
The £32,000-a-week (Salary Sport) Ireland international has played 27 times for Liverpool‘s first team in all competitions over the years. He has produced a few fantastic moments as well, which surely would’ve caught the eye of other clubs.
Alisson is 31 years old, which is not too old for a goalkeeper. He definitely still has at least three or four more years left in him, which means Kelleher isn’t becoming the number one at Liverpool anytime soon.
That could convince the 25-year-old to look for a move elsewhere, and he is good enough to take the number one shirt at plenty of clubs in the Premier League.