Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has praised goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher following his performance against Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
Liverpool took full advantage of Manchester City’s loss against Aston Villa, securing all three points away at Sheffield United.
Virgil van Dijk fired home Liverpool’s opener in the first half before Dominik Szoboszlai added number two.
This could have been a real banana skin for Liverpool in Chris Wilder’s first game back at Sheffield United, but they came through with all three points.
Virgil van Dijk hails Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool’s fate could have been very different as Sheffield United created a great chance early on.
James McAtee broke in on goal but his effort was brilliantly saved by Reds stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Remarkably, that was the only save Kelleher had to make, but he will be delighted with his clean sheet.
The Irishman is in the Liverpool side right now with Alisson out injured, giving him a rare chance to shine in the Premier League.
Goalscorer Van Dijk is certainly impressed, telling Liverpool’s official website that he thinks Kelleher is a simply ‘world-class’ goalkeeper.
Van Dijk was delighted to see him record a clean sheet, contributing to yet another Liverpool win.
“I don’t think it was too hostile today but obviously you still have to win the game and I think it’s a big step today,” said Van Dijk. “I’m pleased for Caoimh – clean sheet, a world-class goalkeeper in my eyes, and obviously it’s good to see that as well,” he added.
Kelleher no doubt impressing Premier League clubs
Liverpool are very fortunate to have such a quality goalkeeper on the bench, ready to go if anything happens to Alisson.
The Brazilian is missing but Liverpool will feel that Kelleher is doing a fine job between the sticks.
The painful thing for Kelleher is that he will be back on the bench once Alisson returns; that is just the brutal reality of his Liverpool situation.
Kelleher is surely impressing other clubs with his performances though, having missed out on a move away from Anfield over the summer.
The Athletic claimed in September that Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur were all interested in Kelleher.
Those clubs went in other direction, signing Bart Verbruggen, Mark Flekken and Guglielmo Vicario respectively.
It’s unclear just who would be interested in Kelleher now, but he is doing all he can to shine for Liverpool and potentially attract interest down the line.
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