Caoimhin Kelleher will mind the Liverpool nets for the ‘foreseeable.’
Jurgen Klopp’s Tuesday morning injury update won’t put a smile on the faces of Liverpool fans with the German revealing that Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and goalkeeper Alisson Becker will all be out of action ‘for the foreseeable.’
With some crunch fixtures on the horizon against Luton Town (Wednesday night) and Chelsea, in Sunday’s EFL League Cup final, it’s clear that Liverpool will line out with a depleted squad.
One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity however, and Caoimhin Kelleher’s run as Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper is set to continue.
Saturday morning’s clash with Brentford proved to be something of a blood-bath for Liverpool with both Jones and Jota forced off in the first half.
This compounded the already concerning news that, prior to the game, Alisson had picked up a hamstring injury while Trent Alexander Arnold nurses a knee problem, which will also keep him out up until the game with Chelsea at the very least.
Having sustained a knee problem, Diojo Jota will be out for ‘months’ according to Jurgen Klopp.
As if that wasn’t enough, there have also been murmurs that Mo Salah aggravated his hamstring issue in that clash with Brentford while a Darwin Nunez update is yet to arrive, with the Uruguayan having been substituted at half-time at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Liverpool’s mounting injury problems have seen Conor Bradley blossom in the absence of Alexander-Arnold, on a positive note, while Caoimhin Kelleher, it now appears, will continue to pick up games at the expense of Alisson.
The Cork goalkeeper has already had his busiest season yet with Liverpool, having played 14 times across all competitions and that run looks set to continue.
There has been many suggesting, in recent times, that the 25-year-old should move further afield in pursuit of more game time but Alisson’s injury issues and the number of opportunities being afforded to him by Jurgen Klopp will be welcome.
Jurgen Klopp was glowing in his appraisal of Kelleher after Liverpool’s win over Brentford, though in doing so, he did inadvertently showcase his lack of familiarity with the Republic of Ireland national team.
The German doesn’t know that Gavin Bazunu is our first choice goalkeeper.
“He was outstanding (against Brentford),” said Klopp.
“I don’t know exactly who is the number one for Ireland but if they have a better goalkeeper, respect,” added the German.
“He’s outstanding. This year we gave him more games than he had previously. It’s well deserved.
“We need him. We need him with rhythm. Now the situation around Alisson shows that makes absolute sense. We will see how long Alisson is out, but Caoimhin is exceptional. (On Saturday) he had an A+ performance.”
Kelleher is currently tied to a deal that will keep him at Liverpool until 2026.
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