Liverpool back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher looks set to miss the Community Shield this Saturday.
That’s according to the Irish Independent. They claim that the Liverpool player is injured and is now ‘almost certain’ to play no part at the King Power Stadium.
Kelleher has so far missed all of Liverpool’s friendlies with what the Independent claim is an ‘abdominal injury.’ The 23-year-old has reportedly stayed on Merseyside throughout pre-season.
Alisson Becker also picked up an injury during the friendly games. That could have opened the door for Kelleher against Manchester City, but those hopes now look to have been dashed.
Cause for concern, but Adrian to the rescue
Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation will be of slight concern to supporters as we approach the Premier League season.
There are two pieces of good news, though. First of all, Alisson Becker is back in training. Jurgen Klopp has given him a chance of being involved on Saturday, but if he isn’t ready, he still should be for the season opener at Fulham.
Secondly, Adrian has been pretty much excellent in everything he’s done since stepping in for Alisson.
That hasn’t always been the case with the 35-year-old Spaniard. But in the three matches that the number 1 has missed, he has really stepped up. Not only has his shot-stopping been good, but he has looked much improved with the ball at his feet, too.
Adrian ready to win Liverpool more silverware?
There will always be a degree of nerves for Liverpool fans whenever Adrian is on the teamsheet. His blunders against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in particular still loom large in the memory.
But by and large he has been a really good goalkeeper for Liverpool. He has proven again over the last couple of weeks that he can be a capable back-up.
Of course though, he is third choice, and that’s unlikely to change this season. Kelleher has the number 2 shirt and rightly so.
But if Alisson isn’t ready for Saturday, faith must be put in Adrian. He has won Liverpool an early season trophy in the past, it now looks as though he’ll get the chance to do so again.
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