Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been backed to become one of the ‘top one or two goalkeepers in the world’.
Kelleher starred as the Republic of Ireland beat Finland 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night. The 25-year-old made a brilliant double-save to preserve his clean sheet, denying Joel Pohjanpalo from the penalty spot and Robin Lod’s follow-up at the Aviva Stadium.
Kelleher has impressed at Liverpool of late in the absence of the injured Alisson Becker, though the Irishman likely to make way when the latter returns after the international break.
His long-term future is unclear, having been open on his desire for a number one role. Giorgi Mamardashvili is also set to link up with Liverpool next season after the Reds agreed a deal to sign the Georgian goalkeeper from Valencia in the summer.
Regardless of his club situation, Kelleher has been backed to emerge as one of the world’s best in his position. Speaking to RTE after his performance against Finland, former Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle said: “I think in five or six years he is going to be in the top one or two goalkeepers in the world.
“He’s that good at everything he does. He has got everything in the locker. He ticks every box. If he can get himself playing I feel he’s going to be the top man.”
On his penalty save, Kelleher said: “Before he stepped up I just looked at the run-up and kind of went on instinct and thankfully I went the right way.
“I think maybe in the first half we rode our luck at times. [There was] two off the post and good defending and some good blocks, which you have to do at times. Thankfully we scored a great goal and then I think we just defended. Other than the penalty there weren’t many chances, so there’s positives to take from it.”
