Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been praising the rise of ‘top quality’ Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
This comes after the 23-year-old was called upon to deputise for Alisson Becker against Chelsea following a positive Covid-19 test for the Brazilian.
Subsequently, the young Irish stopper pulled off a string of fine saves in the match despite conceding twice.
Kelleher’s performance earned the twice-capped Republic of Ireland international a place in the Premier League team of the week.
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Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson suggested that the Cork-born starlet could quickly be outgrowing a backup role at Anfield.
He’s developing into a top-quality keeper. There will come a time when he wants to play regularly though. He will only sit there for so long. Alisson is going to be there long term. If Kelleher has got his head around the fact that he will the long-term successor to Alisson then fair enough. But that could be a long time of playing only in the cup competitions. I think he’ll want to start playing every week soon. Every club carries two top-class goalkeepers because there is so many cup competitions. Liverpool will not want to lose him.
Kelleher earned an impressive 6.90 Sofascore rating for a display including four saves and one last-ditch goal-saving moment.
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Whilst there is little doubt the Irishman would be worthy of a starting berth at most top-flight clubs, Jurgen Klopp is so in tune in the man-management department that it’s unlikely to cause much of a stir.
At 29 Alisson certainly has many more years left at the elite level and Kelleher may have to remain patient for the time being.
However, with the Reds now prospering in domestic cup competitions – partly down to the stoppers heroics – there will be continued opportunities for the £2.25milion valued ace to shine.
