Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been hailed as “world class” amid claims Tottenham Hotspur want him this summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher is a truly world-class goalkeeper, despite his lack of playing time for Liverpool.
This is the opinion of Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, who spoke about Kelleher.
The Irishman started against LASK in the Europa League last week, when he was given a rare opportunity to shine.
Kelleher acts as a backup to Alisson at Liverpool and that means he gets very little playing time.
Tonight’s EFL Cup match with Leicester City should give Kelleher a chance to shine – and Lijnders has been quick to praise him.
Pepijn Lijnders praises Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Ahead of tonight’s match, Lijnders told that he believes Kelleher can play for any Premier League team despite him only being a reserve at Anfield.
Lijnders suggested that Kelleher is no longer just an exciting talent for the future, but rather a truly “world class” player who simply needs more playing time.
That playing time may not come at Liverpool, but Lijnders is happy to have had the summer.
Lijnders added that he hopes Kelleher stays in his place for a long time despite him accepting his need for first-team minutes.
“Caoimh Kelleher has a long-term contract, for me he can play for any team in the Premier League,” Lijnders said. “He is no longer a talent, he is just a world-class goalkeeper, but he needs to play.
It was very nice that he stayed with us, that Jurgen could give him perspective. We are very happy to have him with us.”
“You want to have the best players in every position who can play every type of game.
Whatever happens, we can use Caoimhin and the game won’t change much.
He is calm with his feet, he knows where to look for the ball, he knows how to read it and he is exceptionally good in duels.
We are happy that he is with us and hope that he will stay for a long time,” he added.
Tottenham Hotspur road now safely closed for Kelleher
Kelleher received interest this summer, but no deal ever materialized.
The Athletic claimed last week that Brighton, Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur were all interested in signing Kelleher.
All three eventually signed other goal tenders; Brighton signed Bart Verbruggen, while Brentford signed another Dutchman, Mark Flekken.
Tottenham looked to the Italian market by signing Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli, and he has really impressed in recent weeks.
The report suggests that Kelleher was not complaining about missing out on a transfer, even though he saw three clubs looking the other way.
It’s hard to imagine Tottenham moving now given that Kelleher has landed Vicario, and it’s unclear what the future holds for him given that he is desperate for more playing minutes.
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