Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has hailed Caoimhin Kelleher as ‘world-class’ and believes the goalkeeper could play for any team in the Premier League.
Kelleher was linked with an exit during the summer with the Republic of Ireland international having struggled for opportunities given the presence of Alisson Becker at Anfield.
The 24-year-old has made just 22 senior appearances for the Reds, but is expected to be handed his chance when Liverpool face Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
Questioned on Kelleher’s lack of game time ahead of the clash, Lijnders said Liverpool are ‘lucky’ to have two top-level options competing for their number one position.
“He has a long-term contract. For me he could play in any Premier League team. He is a world-class goalkeeper and needs game time and it is a good thing he stayed with us,” Lijnders said at his pre-match press conference.
“We just are really happy he is with us because you want each position with two top ones. And top ones who can play in any game. We can put him in and the game will not change a lot. We are happy he is with us and hopefully that stays for a long time.
“It depends how players train and act in the room. You never get guaranteed games. You have to see that every training [session] is the last one of your life. If they show this, the door is open for them.
“We are so lucky that Premier League managers are not looking at our training! He has this talent to surprise and in training, [he does things and] you think ‘how is that even possible?’”
