Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
International boss says Liverpool have an ‘excellent’ 23-year-old in their ranks
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been described by Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny as “absolutely excellent”.
The 23-year-old has been a superb deputy for first-choice Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker over the past two years.
Alisson spent some time on the sidelines last season, and Jurgen Klopp initially replaced the Brazilian with Adrian.
However, later on in the campaign, the Liverpool boss gave Kelleher a chance ahead of Adrian.
The Irishman has now cemented the second-choice spot at Anfield.
Kelleher also helped the Reds win the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, even converting a penalty himself.
“Great environment at Liverpool”
The Anfield ace has had to be more patient at international level, however.
Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu has impressed for the Republic after making his debut a year ago.
However, the Portsmouth stopper is unavailable due to illness.
And Kenny has confirmed that Kelleher will start against Belgium on Saturday.
“Caoimhin will definitely start, that’s absolutely right,” quotes Kenny as saying.
“He’ll most likely play the two matches now, I think it’s fair to say, and deservedly so.
“(Kelleher) has had to be patient because of an unfortunate injury.
“He missed the last March camp with injury and Bazunu has come in and been absolutely outstanding.
“We’re on a run of four and a half games without conceding a goal – and Caoimhin has played his part in that.
“In Caoimhin’s two matches to date against Qatar and Hungary, he hasn’t conceded a goal either, so he deserves his chance because he’s been absolutely excellent.”
Asked to list Kelleher’s best attributes, Kenny said: “His composure under pressure and his general athleticism, his ability to make brilliant saves.
“But obviously he’s been in a great environment at Liverpool for a few years now and training every day at a very high standard and playing in the games that he’s played in, so he’s got good experience.”