"Should be a No.1" - Jurgen Klopp told he has a player with "real presence" who doesn't start for Liverpool

Robbie Keane has heaped praise on Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher and has claimed that the goalkeeper would be starting if it wasn’t for Alisson.

Kelleher enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 season in which he was pivotal to Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea, scoring the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

The Irishman managed eight appearances in all competitions across the campaign as he understudied number one Alisson. 

Reports circulated this summer that the number two was eager to leave Merseyside to be the undisputed first choice elsewhere, but no move materialised and now the 23-year-old is yet to play a minute of football this season.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane believes that this lack of minutes is not down to a lack of ability, rather Alisson’s quality.

Speaking to LFC’s official website, Keane said: “He’s certainly a goalkeeper that should be a No.1 but when you’ve got a world-class keeper in front of you like Alisson, he’ll just have to bide his time. Definitely very impressed with him.

“We’ve been very lucky in the Irish team that we have really good goalkeepers."

"I’ve definitely been impressed with Caoimhin, just the way he plays- how comfortable, how calm he is in possession of the ball, he has a real presence about him." 

As I said before, if he didn’t have someone like Alisson in front of him, you’d imagine he possibly could be No.1.”

Alisson arrived at Anfield in 2018 for £66.8 million, making him the most expensive goalkeeper ever at the time, and established himself as one of the best between the sticks in the world.

With Kelleher just 23 and considerably less experienced than the Brazilian, it’s understandable that his minutes would be limited. 

Within a year or two, you’d expect the younger keeper to move on and become first choice at a different club. 

However, Kelleher will still likely get his opportunities this season, with the Reds’ Carabao Cup campaign kicking off in early November against Derby County.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp

Alfie Culshaw

Alfie is a football journalist who focuses on Liverpool FC and Manchester United