CAOIMHIN KELLEHER is in line to start for Liverpool in their Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
The Republic of Ireland international has held down the fort in the absence of regular No1 Alisson.
Caoimhin Kelleher is set for an extended run in the Liverpool team[/caption]
He is in line to start in the Champions League against Real Madrid[/caption]
The Brazilian has been out of action with a hamstring injury since October, with Kelleher filling in commendably since.
Alisson is nearing a return to the fold, but in an update, Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed that he is still a little ways away from full fitness.
He said: “We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries.
“He is back training with his goalie coach, not yet with the team, but expected to return soon.”
As a result, Kelleher is all-but certain to retain the jersey for the Premier League meeting with Southampton this weekend.
And a more intriguing possibility is the Corkman retaining his place for the visit of Real Madrid to Anfield in the Champions League.
The Merseyside club host Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and co when Los Blancos make the trip next Wednesday.
Testing his wits against some of the best of the world would prevent Kelleher with the chance to further bolster his reputation.
The 25-year-old did just that during the most recent international break.
He earned plaudits for his performance in Ireland’s 1-0 win over Finland, with his second-half penalty save preserving the three points.
His showings for club and country lend further credence to the view of John Aldridge, who argued that Kelleher should keep his place even when Alisson is back.
He told SunSport via Netbet Online Casino: “It’s not the first time.
“People tend to forget he has done this time and time again over the last few years and he has never let the side down.
“He has been absolutely quality. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“He has been impeccable. He should have been in the Irish team a long time ago.
“When he was young in gaelic football or whatever, you can see he is good on the ball and that is what you have got to be in present day football goalkeeping.
“He is cool, calm, and collected, a bit like James Bond, to be fair, when he is on the ball.
“I just think at this present moment in time what he has done, it is hard but he has got to keep his place ahead of Alisson for me.
“Alisson is right up there with the best goalkeepers in the world and in some quarters the best goalkeeper in the world but I think this is a time when the manager has got to be honest and say, ‘look, I can’t fault you.’ “
