Klopp hints Liverpool almost sold "world class" star after private demand
Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Liverpool could have sold in-form Caoimhin Kelleher last summer after his demand for first-team football.
The Irish international has shone for the Reds over recent weeks after an injury suffered by regular number one Alisson Becker. He produced a series of stunning saves during the Carabao Cup victory against Chelsea - a display that saw Virgil van Dijk hail him as “world class”.
Kelleher followed that up with another brilliant performance in the FA Cup win against Southampton at Anfield. The Reds could potentially have been without Kelleher though, with Klopp appearing to confirm that talks were held over his role at Anfield heading into the current campaign.
Speaking after Wednesday’s win against the Saints, the German said: "[I] said it before, said it last year, said it two years ago, said it very often actually, exceptional goalkeeper. Goalkeepers need rhythm.
"There was the situation in the summer obviously. Caoimh knows, he is a confident boy, he knows he can play in other teams but he has Alisson Becker as the No.1.
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"We gave him the Europa League games and I think that made a real difference because it was the Carabao Cup and the Europa League games, I don't know how many there are, and then unfortunately Ali got injured and he had to play, and got the rhythm. Now we can see what Caoimh is.
"We had the game against Fulham [December] I think, where the two goals he conceded he looked a bit unlucky. After the game, I spoke to the goalkeeper department and Ali as well, that's a problem with how we want the goalies to be; front-footed, step into it.
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"When he stepped in, Harry Wilson was there with the toe, the ball goes through his hand and everyone said, 'he's not a good goalie'. He's an exceptional goalie and even they make mistakes from time to time.
"Thank God he didn't make one tonight because that kept us in the game, both games. Call it the Caoimh Kelleher games because without him in that shape, and Ali injured, we wouldn't have won the Carabao Cup and we definitely wouldn't have won tonight. But that's the goalie's job as well."
Klopp’s comments back up reports that Kelleher was open to moving on in the summer. The Athletic reported last May that the goalkeeper would have ‘jumped’ at the chance to leave Liverpool to become a number one.
Clubs such as Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham were all linked with a move but Kelleher eventually stayed at Liverpool. The 25-year-old has gone on to make 17 appearances and despite keeping just four clean sheets, has been a shining light for the Reds.
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