Liverpool star didn’t live up to Jürgen Klopp nickname as next two games could define future

Thursday night’s 4-0 Europa League win over LASK seemed to be exactly the confidence boost that Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher needed. With Alisson facing a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury late in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City, Kelleher knew that he was set for a rare stint in the Reds goal.

The Irishman kept a clean sheet against the Austrian outfit, but he had to work for it, making three strong saves. His distribution was excellent too as he completed 39 of his 46 passes, and 11 of his 16 long balls.

Jürgen Klopp had said in his pre-match press conference that he was hopeful Alisson would return for the clash with Manchester United midway through the month, ruling him out for the Premier League games against Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace as well as the Europa League meetings with LASK and Union SG. While he’s arguably Liverpool’s most important player, the schedule did at least make the setback look manageable.

Kelleher wasn’t enjoying his finest season, so his commanding performance on Thursday offered some reassurance for the stretch of games to come. “We see him every day in training, he is an exceptional talent,” Klopp said after the game (via Sky Sports). “He is in general a focused person and you will not see him in a bar celebrating the clean sheet. It is a situation [Alisson’s injury] we did not want to have but obviously somehow yes because you want opportunities and now he will get a few games and I trust him.”