When Caoimhin Kelleher filled me in for the injured Alisson last week, he knew his opportunity wouldn't last forever
By his own latest admission it appears those appearances have only strengthened his desire to leave Liverpool.
Arne Slot found himself in his first real conundrum during this current stint of the campaign when tests showed first-choice goalkeeper Alisson was to miss two matches against Bournemouth and West Ham
Granted, the problem could have been much worse, but this marked the first time the head coach would have to call upon back-up to get the job done.
Kelleher had performed excellently when called upon by Jurgen Klopp in the past, with the German labelling him the 'best No. 2 goalie in the world' in February 2022
Klopp said following the Carabao Cup Final win
“Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me,”
“There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane.
“But to be honest for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No. 2 goalie in the world as well.
“The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more.
“So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right. And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set.
“He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class.
“They call it the people’s cup, but the whole journey was a squad journey, and that’s what I love most about it.”
speaking on his unofficial moniker of 'the best second goalkeeper in the Premier League', with talkSPORT he has freshly renounced this idea.
Kelleher
“It's not a title I want - I want to be playing week in, week out,"
a task that is currently difficult behind Alisson, and will likely continue to be when Giorgi Mamardashvili eventually joins Liverpool as per the agreement struck with Valencia this summer
Kelleher continued
“At the moment the situation for me is I'll get these opportunities and I need to do well when I get these opportunities and play well, so that is my main focus obviously.
“Just when I do get that chance, play well.”
"It is important I play week in, week out now and get that No.1 position. I have to show everyone I am capable and good enough to play week in, week out.
“I feel I have the quality to play well when needed, even if that means I'm not playing a game in a few weeks I can come in and still show my quality, so that's the most important part - to be ready when called upon."
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