Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told Sky Sports that he always thought Caoimhin Kelleher was a ‘massive talent’ before giving him his first-team opportunity.
The Irish goalkeeper arrived from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015, on the recommendation of then-Reds defender Conor Masterson.
Kelleher made his first-team debut last season, and looked set to go out on loan over the summer before Liverpool told him he had to stay.
The 22-year-old was kept as cover with Alisson out injured, but was surprisingly handed a Champions League debut against Ajax earlier this term.
He now seems to have leapfrogged Adrian in the Liverpool pecking order, and is now serving as second-choice behind Alisson.
This is some rise for Kelleher, who will now have real hope of becoming Klopp’s go-to man whenever Alisson is unavailable.
Klopp has now praised Kelleher, stating that he has done ‘exceptionally well’ in the first team and, always knew he was a ‘massive talent’.
Klopp did though feel that he needed to play in a first-team game to prove that he was of Premier League quality, and he has now shown exactly that
“Caoimhin? It’s certainly given him the opportunity and he’s done exceptionally well,” said Klopp. “We were always sure he was a massive talent but no one can say exactly he will react in a proper, proper game. He looks like a calm person – and he is! But he’s also a very good goalkeeper,” he added.
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