Roy Keane has opened up on his first meeting with Caoimhin Kelleher, and how the Liverpool goalkeeper made an immediate impression on him.
Kelleher has been in fine form this season, having been given another extended run with the Reds amid Alisson Becker’s latest injury. The Irishman has played in eight of Liverpool’s 17 games thus far, and kept four clean sheets in helping Arne Slot’s men to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
He’s carried his club form onto the international scene, having produced an inspired performance to help the Republic of Ireland to a 1-0 win over Finland on Thursday, in which he saved a second-half penalty.
Kelleher now looks to have sewn up his place as Ireland’s No.1, having previously found himself sharing the responsibility with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. That won’t come as a surprise to former Manchester United captain Keane, who was left impressed by the Liverpool star after his very first training session with the Irish setup.
Speaking to ITV ahead of Ireland’s Nations League clash with England at Wembley, Keane said: “Caoimhin now is getting regular games. I was working with Martin O’Neill when we brought him in and I liked him from that first session. We liked everything about him and he made the other goalkeepers look lazy.
“He has got a great temperament and that comes from playing for the big clubs in big matches. He has made one or two mistakes but he takes it in his stride. He is getting a run of games for Liverpool and he is doing really well.”
Despite Kelleher’s superb form, Slot has confirmed Alisson will regain his place in Liverpool’s side once the Brazilian returns to fitness. That will reinforce the Irishman’s stance after admitting he wants to leave Anfield in order to become a No.1 elsewhere.
Kelleher’s chances of succeeding Alisson as Liverpool’s first-choice look to have been dealt a further blow after the Reds completed a deal for Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili during the summer, with the Georgia international set to arrive on Merseyside next year.
First of all, Alisson needs to become fit and I’ve always been quite clear and that’s always been the position of Alisson that he is, and will be, our first goalkeeper if he is fit,” Slot said last week.
“But therefore he first needs to be it, but Caoimhin has done outstanding last season and this season again as well. But the moment Alisson will be fit he will be our first goalkeeper.”
