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Mark Lawrenson suggests Fulham could target Liverpool Caoimhin Kelleher if he plays
Mark Lawrenson has suggested that Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher could be targeted this weekend against Fulham in the Premier League.
The Reds travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, as last season’s champions face last year’s Championship play-off winners.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently second in the table behind leaders Tottenham on goal difference and now have a good couple of months to focus on their title defence while there is a break in Champions League football.
The Merseyside giants have had to contend with several key injuries this season already, including the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the last three games in all competitions.
Liverpool have turned to academy star Kelleher to fill the void and he’s done exceptionally well, conceding just one goal in games against Wolves, Ajax and FC Midtjylland.
The 22-year-old appears to be the second-choice goalkeeper now at Anfield and has moved ahead of Adrian in the pecking order.
Liverpool fans are waiting to hear when Alisson will return from his injury, with the reporting earlier in the week that he could be back in time to face Fulham on Sunday.
Lawrenson has suggested that Kelleher could be in for a tough aerial examination if he does play against Fulham.
“Fulham might feel like they can get at Liverpool, especially if Caoimhin Kelleher is still filling in for Alisson in goal, and the Cottagers have got the option of recalling Aleksandar Mitrovic if they want to be more direct and try to test the 22-year-old Irishman with some balls into the box,”
“Kelleher has done really well so far and looks the part, but he is going to make a mistake at some point – I certainly don’t wish it on him, but all young keepers do – and we don’t know how he will react.”
TBR’s View:
It’s certainly not been ideal for Liverpool suffering so many injury problems this year, but in a positive way they are still picking up great results on a consistent basis and it’s also been an opportunity for a handful of youngsters from the academy to get first-team minutes.
It’s unclear on if Kelleher will be required this weekend, but he’s got to take massive confidence from the faith Klopp has shown in him during the past couple of weeks.
It will be a big boost for the Reds to have Brazilian Alisson back in-between the sticks due to the fact he’s a world-class talent and Kelleher may have now worked himself into his main understudy.