“I was confident.”
Caoimhin Kelleher made his biggest statement yet in a Liverpool jersey last night. The Cork native helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield, denying Kylian Mbappé from the penalty spot with the score at 1-0 after Alexis Mac Allister’s opener.
Kelleher has mostly been resigned to cup starts during his career at Merseyside, with one of the best in the world in Alisson ahead of him.
However, with Brazilian nursing an injury lately, Kelleher has been given a prolonged run in the first team, and has greatly impressed. There is now even a debate about who is the better long-term option for the reds – Kelleher or Alisson.
This discussion would have been unheard of last season, but with Alisson’s injury woes and Kelleher proving himself time and time again, the Reds could cash in on Allison while his value is high, while not losing quality.
Penalty saves have become somewhat of a hallmark for the 26-year-old.
The Cork native has saved four out of the six spot-kicks he has faced in his career, and his three in the last two weeks. He also holds the club record for Liverpool in shootout stops, saving six in four ties.
Allison’s reaction to the spot-kick save suggested that of a man who was proud of the young upstart but also well aware that his place at the club is not the copper-fastened situation it once was.
Kelleher speaks about saving Mbappe’s penalty in the Champions League.
After the game, Kelleher said: “I was confident and thankfully went the right way again.
“It is a big result. It is a massive result for us. We wanted to come out tonight and put on a performance and well done to the lads for doing that.”
Ahead of Liverpool’s game against Man City on Sunday, manager Arne Slot added: “I think confidence is high in the whole squad.
‘Man City, we know they have had a tough few results but what a team. We expect a really tough test but this is good confidence for the team and we will go again.”
“In both situations, you think it is probably going to go in.
“Both missed so they showed us today they are both human beings.
” In Mbappe’s case Kelleher was outstanding. He has done remarkable for us, just like our other goalkeeper who has been remarkable too.”
