Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been hailed as ‘world class’ amid claims that Tottenham Hotspur wanted him in the summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher is a truly ‘world-class’ goalkeeper despite his lack of playing time for Liverpool.
That is the view of Liverpool assistant boss Pepijn Lijnders, who has been speaking about Kelleher.
The Irishman started against LASK in the Europa League last week as he was given a rare chance to shine.
Kelleher serves as Alisson’s backup at Liverpool and that means he receives very little playing time.
Tonight’s EFL Cup tie with Leicester City should give Kelleher a chance to shine – and Lijnders has moved to praise him.
Pepijn Lijnders praises Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, Lijnders told The Mirror that he thinks Kelleher can play for any Premier League team despite only being a backup at Anfield.
Lijnders suggested that Kelleher is no longer just an exciting talent for the future but rather a truly ‘world-class’ player who just needs more playing time.
That playing time may not come with Liverpool but Lijnders is delighted that he ended up staying over the summer window.
Lijnders added that he hopes Kelleher will be staying put for a long time yet, despite the acceptance of his need for first-team minutes.
“Caoimh Kelleher has a long-term contract, for me he can play in any Premier League team,” said Lijnders. “He’s not a talent anymore, he’s just a world-class goalkeeper but he needs game time. It was a really good thing that he stayed with us, that Jurgen could give him perspective. We’re really happy he is with us.”
“You want every position with top ones who can play any kind of game. Whatever happens, we can put Caoimhin in and the game will not change a lot. He’s calm with his feet, he knows where to bring the ball, he can read it and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations. We are happy he is with us, and hopefully he stays for a long time,” he added.
Tottenham Hotspur route surely closed for Kelleher now
Kelleher did attract summer interest but a deal just never really got off the ground.
The Athletic claimed last week that Brighton, Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur were all interested in signing Kelleher.
All three ended up signing other goalkeepers; Brighton snapped up Bart Verbruggen whilst Brentford signed a fellow Dutchman in Mark Flekken.
Tottenham looked to the Italian market by signing Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli, and he has really impressed in recent weeks.
The report suggested that Kelleher hasn’t been sulking at missing out on a transfer, even though he saw three clubs look in other directions.
It’s hard to imagine that Tottenham will now move for Kelleher having landed Vicario, and it’s unclear just what the future holds for him as he desperately seeks more minutes.
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