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29th February 2024
04:37pm GMT
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he made a deal with Caoimhin Kelleher last summer to try and persuade him from leaving Liverpool.
Due to the fact that Liverpool didn't qualify for the Champions Leagued instead the Europa League, it allowed the manager to offer the group games to the young goalkeeper, as well as the Carabao Cup matches.
All the Irishman wanted was more game time, which is of course difficult seeing as Alisson is the number one choice, but it has paid off for everyone at the club this season.
Alisson picked up an injury, but because of the extra games under Kelleher's belt he was sharp and fit enough to step in and help win the matches in the Brazilian's absence so far.
"I love it. Said it before, said it last year, said it two years ago, said it very often actually that he's an exceptional goalkeeper but goalkeepers need rhythm", said Klopp.
"There was the situation in the summer obviously. He's a confident boy, he knows he can play in other teams but there is Alisson Becker, the No.1.
"We gave him the Europa League games, I think that makes a real different because it was Carabao Cup and the Europa League games, I don't know exactly how many that [is] – 10, 12 already?
"Then unfortunately Ali got injured, so he had to play and got the rhythm and now you can see what Caoimh is."
Alisson is expected to be out for the month of March, so if the Cork native keeps us this good form and keeps Liverpool in the three competitions that they are still fighting for, then he will have played a crucial role in any success that the club might have.
"He's an exceptional goalie but even they make mistakes from time to time. Thank God he didn't make one tonight because that kept us in the game – both games.
"Call it the Caoimhín Kelleher games because without him in that shape and Ali injured, we wouldn't have won the Carabao Cup and wouldn't have won tonight. That's the goalie's job as well."
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