As Liverpool prepared to fly to Prague for their latest Europa League game, social media went into overdrive with unsubstantiated rumors of an injury for goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher.
Understandably, it caused plenty of Liverpool fans a lot of worry. At this moment in time, losing Kelleher would be a disastrous turn of events.
With Alisson Becker already ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Kelleher has stepped up and put in a tremendous performance in the Carabao Cup final. With Manchester City heading to Anfield on Sunday (March 10), losing Kelleher would leave Liverpool down to their third-choice goalkeeper, Adrian.
But Reds fans can breathe a sigh of relief after Kelleher was pictured in training ahead of Thursday’s Europa League game against Sparta Praha. Images of the goalkeeper appear to debunk any rumors he has picked up an injury after he traveled to the Czech Republic and looks ready to feature in Thursday’s game.
Kelleher’s stock has risen significantly with his performances when called upon when Alisson has been unavailable. Liverpool has won all six Premier League games that he has started this season.
He’s subsequently generated plenty of transfer interest, and Harry Redknapp suggested he won’t still be with the club next season as he needs to find a place where he can be the first choice.
“He was in my side last week and he’s back in it again, Caoimhin Kelleher,” said Redknapp, picking Kelleher in his Bet Victor Team of the Week. ”The best compliment I can give this lad is that Liverpool haven’t missed Alisson since he’s been out, and he’s probably the best keeper in the world! I’d be surprised if he’s still at the club next season, he needs to be starting every week.”
Before last weekend’s win over Nottingham Forest, Jürgen Klopp admitted he was grateful Kelleher stayed with the club in the summer and confirmed talks had taken place over his future.
“It’s completely normal with players who are ready,” Klopp said. “The most important thing was we had to help him on the next step of his development by playing more games.
“He has played a lot of games in the Europa League, League Cup and quite a Premier League games too. You would have to ask him but I think now he would be pretty happy with the decision he made in the summer.
“For a club like Liverpool, the gap between the first and second goalkeeper can not be big. There must be quality because the football demands are too big for any ‘keeper to play four years in a row in all competitions.”
