Manchester United failed to score on Caoimhin Kelleher on Saturday night.
Republic of Ireland teenager Caoimhin Kelleher represented himself well in Liverpool’s win against Manchester United in the International Champions Cup.
The Cork native was handed the opportunity after Loris Karius, the senior goalkeeper on tour, missed training on Friday. Jurgen Klopp has confirmed to the club’s official website that the German would miss the United game due to a knock he picked up on tour.
“Loris has a little tendon problem in the knee. Nothing ruptured or something like that; it’s more that it’s inflamed so we’ll have to see how that settles. It’s not a big thing, but it’s likely he will not play tomorrow.”
“The two young boys will feature. It was nice for Caoimhin the other night, and [now] Kamil will have an opportunity as well so it’s good.”
So, Liverpool Academy shot-stopper Kamil Grabara started between the posts. Kelleher, who already featured in friendlies against Blackburn and Manchester City, was named on the bench.
He's always had this in his locker https://t.co/jGEfrSs0aV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 28, 2018
Hammering
Jurgen Klopp’s team ran out 4-1 victors thanks to goals from Sadio Mané, Daniel Sturridge, Sheyi Ojo and a phenomenal acrobatic effort from new signing Xherdan Shaqiri. Andreas Pereira scored United’s goal. The young Brazilian found the net with a sublime that left Grabara in no man’s land.
Kelleher came on for the Reds at half-time. Although he didn’t have much to do, he didn’t buckle under the pressure. He did his job perfectly. When he was called upon, he did not disappoint. Unlike Grabara, the Red Devils were not able to find a way past him.
The young Irishman’s performance received exclusively positive reviews from fans tuning in.
Our two teenage keepers Kamil Grabara & Caoimhin Kelleher have been fine, haven't they?
C'mon #Klopp give them a chance! Don't restrict their appearances to pre-season & Cup games against lower league opponents like you did with Ward!!!— Kevin Chan (@LuckyLukeXO) July 28, 2018
Great to see young Cork goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher play tonight dealt with everything he had to do comfortably a very exciting upcoming stopper #LFC
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) July 28, 2018
Great to see Irish young lad Caoimhin Kelleher playing in the first team for Liverpool in front of a crowd of 101,000!!! Beating the Mancs too!!! 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪#LFC #LIVMUN
— Ronan Mooney (@MooneyRonan) July 28, 2018
What an evening for 19-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher, formerly of Ringmahon Rangers, came on in the second half of #LFC’s 4-1 pre-season win over #ManUtd in Michigan. In front of 95,000 people and kept a clean sheet too.
— John Roycroft (@torban69) July 28, 2018
Great to see an Irishman line out for #LFC again in front of 95,000 fans against #ManUtd Fuck it if its only a pre-season tournament but Irish lads are getting few & far between for 2 clubs that were always great ambassadors for this country #CaoimhinKelleher
— Postman Paddy (@Postman_Paddy) July 28, 2018
It may only be a preseason game, but Kelleher should take a lot of confidence from that performance. It’s a shame he wasn’t tested more, but he did as well as could be expected. His future appears to be very bright.
