Adrian says he’s noticed one Liverpool player has got so much better recently

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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has taken huge steps in his development over the last four years.

That’s according to his Reds goalkeeping colleague Adrian. Kelleher looks like he could well be on the move this summer as he looks to take the next step in his career. And speaking to The Athletic today, Adrian suggested that the 24-year-old is more than ready for it.

“He [Kelleher] has improved a lot. When I arrived in 2019 he was still a kid with good ability. Now he’s a man. He has shown that he could play as a number one in the Premier League,” claimed the Spanish veteran.

“He has proved that in the finals when he has played under big pressure. He has shown his level. He’s a very good goalie with many qualities — calm and quick reactions.

“Of course he will want to play more. I remember the same when I was his age, but he has to understand that the goalkeeper position is hard sometimes and you have to wait for your opportunity.”

Kelleher earns Premier League shot

There’s no question that Kelleher has proven himself good enough to have a shot at being a Premier League starting goalkeeper. As Liverpool’s draw with Southampton on Sunday showed though, he still isn’t immune to poor performances.

Having said that, in fairness to the 24-year-old, that was probably his worst game in a Reds shirt. Up until that point, his previous 20 appearances have been laced with real quality.

His repeated penalty heroics usually take the limelight, but Kelleher’s all-round game is possibly even underrated.

As Adrian points out, he’s incredibly calm both in and out of possession. For a defence to have such a tranquil goalkeeper behind them must be a real blessing.

But it’s not much use being calm if you’re letting everything past you. Defenders and teammates will still get jittery regardless. Thankfully though, Kelleher usually stands up to the task in this regard, too.

Sunday was an exception to that as the Ireland international just couldn’t seem to set himself properly. As he looks to impress potential Premier League suitors ahead of a summer move, Kelleher’s display at St. Mary’s won’t have helped his cause.

Still, that shouldn’t take away from what a talented young goalkeeper the Irishman clearly is. Adrian can see it, and the rest of his Liverpool teammates and coaches obviously can, too. Unfortunately, that quality is what looks likely to mean his Anfield stay comes to an end in the coming months. His Premier League starting shot is set to be realised elsewhere.