Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to “show his full potential” while deputising for the injured Alisson Becker.
The Liverpool manager discussed the prospect of playing second choice goalkeeper Kelleher during the Reds’ upcoming UEFA Europa League group stage clash with LASK at Anfield.
“He would have played anyway,” Klopp explained. “Nobody, Caoimhin included, wanted Ali to get injured, but if these kinds of things happen you need the strongest possible option. That’s Caoimhin for us. He deserves his opportunity to get a few more games and hopefully show his full potential.”
Kelleher has been restricted almost exclusively to starts in cup competitions throughout the last number of years, making just five appearances in the Premier League and only 26 in all competitions since his Liverpool debut during the 2019/20 season.
The Republic of Ireland stopper is now set to start a number of games consecutively for Liverpool due to the injury Alisson picked up during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
The Reds number one suffered a hamstring strain in the top of the table clash – a problem which Klopp has admitted will sideline Alisson for the next two games.
“With Ali, it’s a bit lesser, so we have to see – not day by day, he will not play tomorrow, not on Sunday, probably not the week after. Then it should be kind of okay,” the boss explained.
Alisson’s injury means Kelleher is in line to make his first Premier League start of the campaign in clash with Fulham at Anfield on Sunday. He’ll be aiming to keep his first clean sheet of the season.
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