Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has expressed admiration for Reds goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
In an interview with the Reds media team, Lijnders lauded Kelleher, describing the 25-year-old as “the most outstanding” and “most complete” keeper to emerge from the academy.
Kelleher, who has served as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper for several years, has notably stepped up in the absence of Alisson Becker.
Over recent weeks, the 25-year-old has featured prominently in Liverpool’s lineup, notably contributing to victories in their last three Premier League matches. Additionally, he has made significant appearances in both the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
Indeed, the latter is regarded as his competitor. He has participated in all of Liverpool’s matches in the tournament this season, as well as in the previous season.
During the 2021/22 season, he was absent for two games in the Carabao Cup but featured in the final, where he scored the crucial penalty that assisted Liverpool in prevailing over Chelsea. Presently, the Reds and the Blues are poised for a rematch.
Even though Kelleher would probably have been selected even if Alisson was available, the latter is slated to be absent from the match, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota.
Caoimhin Kelleher “Can Make Match-winning Saves” for Liverpool
Lijnders, in an interview with the Liverpool media team, expressed immense praise for the Irishman.
“For a club like Liverpool, we need two good goalkeepers,” he began. “I’m really happy that we have.
“It’s really special and a compliment for John [Achterberg], for Jack [Robinson] and for Taffa [Claudio Taffarel] and for the guys at the Academy, because we produce some good goalkeepers already, but Caoimhin is probably the most outstanding one and who is most complete.
“He can make match-winning saves, he has this and he sees the game, he knows how to act as the free player, he knows when to play with direction and his calmness and his serenity creates calmness for the others.
“Especially how we want to play, if you want to manage the ball from the back, to find one-v-one situations, to create better one-v-one situations… it’s really important to have a goalkeeper like that.”
Kelleher’s consistent contributions to Liverpool’s squad have been remarkable, and he is poised to play a pivotal role in yet another Carabao Cup final. It’s truly rewarding to witness him shining brightly on the big stage once more.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Learn Price to Pay for Mohamed Salah Replacement Amid Several Admirers