Jurgen Klopp: Caoimhín Kelleher is a fanastic goalie and we are really happy with him

JURGEN Klopp described Cork’s Caoimhín Kelleher as an ‘exceptional goalkeeper’ as the Mahon native helped Liverpool qualify for the EFL Cup semi-finals this week by beating West Ham 5-1 at Anfield.

The Ringmahon Rangers academy graduate has regularly played for his side over the winter months, and now he is going into the New Year looking to win the first piece of silverware of the season with a team competing in four different competitions.

At the top of that list is the Premier League title and Kelleher featured in recent victories over Fulham and Sheffield United.

The goalkeeper has also been a fixture in between the posts for Liverpool in their Europa League campaign, and the team is now into the Round of 16 after topping their group.

Speaking to The Echo, Klopp took everything to do with Kelleher into account and heaped praise on him.

He even referred to the goalkeeper’s future, which is under constant speculation since he is the second choice behind Alison at Anfield.

“Good – that is the next thing, we all want Caoimh to make the next step,” Klopp told The Echo.

“Some of us have heard rumours and stuff like that, like so we have to let him go and stuff like that. We just can’t. 

We need a solution for us and we are really happy with Caoimh.

“But he performs for us on incredibly high levels. He is an exceptional goalkeeper. Yeah, he conceded a few goals where he could have saved if he has more rhythm or he is a bit more lucky.” Klopp also said he sought advice from Alison on how to improve Kelleher as a goalkeeper.

“I spoke to Ali about this situation,” he explained, “Ali just said that the way we play, we step into it, Ali would make that step as well and then he can save the ball. In this situation, against Fulham for example.

“So that is the situation and nothing else. He is a fantastic goalie and we are really happy.” 

BUSY

Liverpool are now preparing for a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final with Fulham, who knocked Everton out of the competition on penalties at Goodison Park.

The most important thing to Klopp was the team responding to last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Anfield with four different goal scorers finding the back of the net against West Ham.

“Sometimes the difference is an inch on the foot of the player – if the ball goes in or not,” he said.

“That is what happened tonight with Dobz (Dominik Szoboszlai) and 1-0. But left or right of the goal, the difference was not too big. We were dominant and did not score during the other moments and during the second half we did."