By Ian Whittell
Caoimhin Kelleher will edge ahead of Alisson in the Liverpool appearance charts at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, having seen his decision to remain with the club last summer vindicated in spectacular fashion.
The 25-year-old Ireland international was widely expected to seek a new club, due to his inability to dislodge his Brazilian rival from Jurgen Klopp’s line-up. As recently as the January transfer window, Nottingham Forest were keen to offer him first team football.
But, after Kelleher’s talks with Klopp last close season, injury to Alisson has offered the goalkeeper an unexpected window in which to showcase his talents, the latest of which will come when the Premier League leaders visit Manchester United.
“There were obviously discussions because I wanted to play as much as I can,” said Kelleher. “It was clear that because of the circumstances I was in, that I had to stay.
“Obviously I got this big opportunity, which can always happen. The manager did say that anything can happen like that.
“It was very unfortunate the Alli picked up an injury but on the other side it’s been an opportunity for me to get more games. It couldn’t have worked out much better, to be fair.
“I’ve obviously had a lot of games this season, so the decision to stay was probably the right one.”
There appears little doubting that fact and Sunday should present Kelleher with his 25th appearance of the season – one more than Alisson – in what would be a 13th consecutive start.
Considering Kelleher had played just 21 games – only five of them in the Premier League – over his four seasons before the current campaign, it has marked a major opportunity for development.
Kelleher has already won the EFL Cup this season, in the Final win over Chelsea, adding to the winner’s medal he collected in the competition two years ago, after a heroic display in a penalty shoot-out win over the same opponents.
Alisson’s return to training from his hamstring problem is imminent and his availability moving ever closer, but Kelleher could yet add Premier and Europa League medals to that collection before season’s end.
Given such high stakes, it is no surprise that he has yet to address his future with the outgoing Klopp or club management.
“To be fair, I have not thought much about it,” said Kelleher. “There are so many important games coming up that if I took my mind of those, I think I can’t afford to do it.
“I’ve just been focusing on what I’m doing, trying to do well, and we’ll see what happens.”
“It’s obviously been really good for me to get this run of games. It’s what I have been working for, to get this opportunity to play a run of games and get that rhythm.
“There’s been the added bonus of winning the Carabao and now going for more trophies.
“I am playing football at the highest level, going for the major trophies – and that’s what every player wants to do. I am really enjoying myself.”
Growing up in Cork, Kelleher was brought up on the Liverpool-United rivalry that divides Irish football supporters and one which he experienced for the first time, as a player, in his team’s recent 4-3 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
“The two main clubs over there are Liverpool and Man United,” he said. “It’s a massive fanbase for both, so it will be interesting on Sunday back in Ireland.
“I’ve got a few mates who are Man U supporters and some family and stuff. It will be interesting, so hopefully we can get on the right side of a result.
“It was a good lesson. It was my first time playing at Old Trafford and you could feel the crowd. It’s similar to Anfield. We have to manage that better as well. We will go there and try to control the crowd as much as we can.
“It’s nice for us to be going back so we can right the wrong of that FA Cup defeat. It’s the sooner the better for us.”
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