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‘He saved our life’: Klopp blown away by ‘outstanding’ Liverpool player last night
Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero for Liverpool against Leicester City in the quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup last night and Jurgen Klopp was beyond impressed.
The Reds went two goals down after just 13 minutes. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled one back but James Maddison restored the Foxes’ two-goal cushion with an absolute worldie in the 33rd minute.
Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino brought Liverpool back into the game in the second half and we went to penalties.
The pressure was well and truly on young Kelleher, who had only played 11 times for Liverpool before last night. He had a really good game in normal time, but what he did in the shootout really impressed Klopp.
Klopp: Kelleher saved Liverpool against Leicester
The Reds boss said after the game, as per : “In the end Caoimh, not only with the penalties but the save against Albrighton’s finish as well, he saved our life.
“He is an outstanding goalkeeper, I don’t want to say anymore he’s a ‘talent’. For goalies maybe it’s possible because they are talents a bit longer because they can play longer. But he is an outstanding goalie; with his feet, game understanding, all the goalie skills.
“John [Achterberg] and Jack [Robinson] over the years did an incredible job with the boy, it’s really outstanding. Of course, it’s nice. It’s not the first time he was part of these spectacular games, against Arsenal [in 2019] it was similar. But now he is even a step further.
“Like I said, he saved our life, was really helpful tonight.”
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Klopp has always spoken highly of Kelleher and the young Irishman’s performance last night will only make him a more popular figure in and around the club.
Kelleher, still only 23, has a bright future ahead of him. He pulled off some great saves in normal time and his penalty shootout heroics showed that he can handle the pressure as well. However, can he become Liverpool’s number one?
Alisson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and the Brazilian is still only 29, which is fairly young for a goalkeeper. The ex-Roma man could remain Liverpool’s number one for five more years if things go to plan, which would be a shame for Kelleher.
However, the 23-year-old just has to put his head down and work. Opportunities like last night will come and if he keeps taking them, Klopp, or whoever will be at the helm at Liverpool in a few years time, will have a decision to make.
