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Football

26th Jul 2018

Irish goalkeeper replaces Loris Karius and makes great save to deny Leroy Sané

Patrick McCarry

Alisson could want to get his Liverpool career started sharpish.

19-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made another outing for the senior side on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Having made an appearance against Blackburn Rovers, last week, the Cork native got another chance to impress in the friendly victory over Manchester City.

Loris Karius got the opening 45 minutes against Pep Guardiola’s side and his confidence will have been boosted by keeping a clean-sheet during his time between the sticks. At the break, Klopp made a number of changes.

Kelleher came into the fray and was soon required to make a smart save from City’s Lero Sané.

Luke Bolton left Fabinho for dead with a burst up the right wing and teed up Sané for what looked to be an easy chance to break the deadlock. Kelleher stayed big and made a save with his legs as the German international tried to nutmeg him with a side-footed shot.

Kelleher was powerless to prevent Sané from making amends, soon after, and putting City 1-0 ahead. Bernardo Silva put a fine pass in behind Virgil Van Dijk and the City star did the rest, finishing into the far corner and past the outstretched leg of the Cork goalie.

The Reds powered back and ended up as 2-1 winners after goals from Mo Salah and Leroy Sané.

With Alisson and Simon Mignolet still on summer breaks, Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to see the young Irish goalkeeper settling in well within the senior set-up.