As Liverpool became Carabao Cup champions last season, Caoimhin Kelleher played a massive role, and in uncharacteristic fashion.
The Irishman stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick in the final against Chelsea, and sent Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way as he dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
With his opposite number failing to convert from 12 yards out, the 23-year-old was the hero on the night as his side lifted the trophy for the first time since 2012.
The academy graduate was also the recipient of huge praise from none other than Jurgen Klopp, who called him “the best No.2 in the world”, as reported by This Is Anfield.
As the Reds begin their cup defence against Derby County on Wednesday night, Pep Lijnders confirmed in his press conference that Kelleher was set for a start in the encounter.
“Yeah, Caoimh deserves it”, he said, as per the club’s official website.
Lijnders continued, “If you shoot the last penalty in [in the final], it would be a disgrace if we took him out now!”
“I think honestly, one of the proudest moments in football was after the game when we won this cup. Caoimh, if you see a talent grow and you see talents turn into men and if you see men with personality and braveness and you go into a final and he takes the last penalty, and after the game, we have this moment together so, it means a lot.”
“So, if nothing happens today, he will start for us.”
It is refreshing to see how enthusiastic Lijnders remains about handing a back-up goalkeeper such as Kelleher a chance in the Carabao Cup.
As the adept shotstopper has shown in the past, he is always prepared to prove his mettle when called upon for Liverpool and especially in said competition.
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