The goalkeeper described by Jürgen Klopp as the world’s best No 2 has impressed during Alisson’s injury absence
The goalkeeper described by Jürgen Klopp as the world’s best No 2 has impressed during Alisson’s injury absence
Being a second-choice goalkeeper can be a curious business, training all week in the full knowledge that whatever tactical tweaks can be made to a team, the manager is unlikely to select two between the posts, nor do your competitors often require rest and rotation. For most professional footballers 25 is when a player starts to hit their peak but for Kelleher things are finally starting to get going at Anfield.
There have already been 19 Liverpool appearances in all competitions this season, making it the busiest of Kelleher’s career. Having made his debut almost five years ago, it is surprising to many that in the intervening period he has not left either temporarily or permanently in order to advance. There were overtures in the summer for the Irish international but Kelleher remained on Merseyside.
Kelleher made a number of key saves to ensure the match went to a shootout that day. Despite his efforts, he was soon reminded what the job of the second-choice goalkeeper is, not appearing in the first team again for nine months. There were equally impressive moments on Thursday with two fine reflex saves to. Wembley and the Czech capital can be intimidating places but Kelleher knows how to shut out the noise, which could be advantageous on Sunday.