The team’s guardian, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker, is out injured. During this period, Liverpool’s goalmouth is protected by one of the best second-choice goalkeepers in the world, Caoimhin Kelleher, who has continued to perform well.
He also started against Bayer Leverkusen, who were excited by the return of Xabi Alonso. He was given the goalmouth in his first Champions League home game since the no-show against Ajax due to Corona, and contributed to a clean sheet with a double stop in the second half.
Former England defender Stephen Warnock, who played for Liverpool during his playing days, was a great admirer of the Irish goalkeeper’s performance. He said he has been in great form throughout the season.
“Really good contributions from Caoimhin Kelleher tonight,”
“We often talk about Alisson and his saves keeping Liverpool in games and securing clean sheets but Kelleher has been in top form this season.”
BBC Radio 5 Live
He has a high all-round ability as a goalkeeper, not only in goalkeeping, but also in jumping and passing. In the match against Leverkusen, many media commented on his response to the sudden pinch, although he did not have much to show for his performance other than a super save.
The Liverpool Echo gave Kelleher a score of seven out of ten and said, “There was no save worth mentioning until the fine double stop in the closing stages that prevented Schick and Wirtz. The Irishman’s composure was the biggest threat of all.”
Liverpool.com also gave the £32,000-a-week guardian a score of seven out of ten, writing: “The goalkeeping was low, but solid enough. In his first Champions League appearance at Anfield with a crowd, he kept a clean sheet. Patrick Schick’s shot in the closing stages was superb.”