He’s only 22.
Caoimhín Kelleher will start in goal today for Liverpool as they face Waterford in the early kick-off.
Due to complications surrounding the international break, Alisson Becker, won’t be available for the Reds, nor will his Brazilian teammate Fabinho.
Alisson is viewed by many as potentially the best goalkeeper in world football, and was a serious component to Liverpool’s Premier League and Champion’s League success in recent years.
With this in mind, young Irish goalkeeper, Kelleher, looks set to remain on the bench, and won’t get an opportunity to prove himself as Anfield’s new number one.
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)However, there are some factors that swing in the young Cork man’s favour.
For instance, Allisson is 29-years-old, while the Irishman is only 22, so you an argue that he has time on his side, and although goalkeepers tend to have longer careers, the fact remains that in 5 years time, it would be surprising to still see the bearded Brazilian between the sticks for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp also seems to have faith in the youngster, recently rewarding him a new long-term contract, and you have to ask what the basis for that is on.
Firstly, his impressive displays in Europe whenever Alisson was injured, filled not only himself with confidence, but gave it to the fans as well, who certainly feel in safer hands with him, rather than Adrian.
Speaking of Adrian, who was initially brought in to be the number two, but was leapfrogged by Kelleher for that position.
In terms of his development, spending the earlier part of his career learning under the brilliant Alisson will only help him improve.
Throw in the fact that at training he’s up against the most prolific striker in world football at the moment with Mo Salah, and other world class forwards like Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diego Jota, he can only raise his game every week.
Time will tell, but for Ireland fans, today could be the first glimpse of a future Anfield number one, which will only be good news for his international career.
