Liverpool 24-year-old now admits to ‘bit of rustiness’ amid plea to Jurgen Klopp

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher admits he felt a ‘bit of rustiness’ at LASK this Thursday and hopes Jurgen Klopp gives him further match time in the Europa League.

The 24-year-old had not played a single second so far this season before the Reds visited the Austrian Bundesliga outfit. Kelleher also rarely played for Liverpool in competitive games last term. He only appeared four times across all competitions through the 2022/23 season.

One of Kelleher’s outings in 22/23 even came on the final day of the campaign as Liverpool drew 4-4 at Southampton. Klopp changed his goalkeeper for the first time all season in the Premier League at St Mary’s. Alisson Becker started the other 37 games for 14 clean sheets.

Klopp gave Kelleher a rare appearance as Liverpool beat LASK

Alisson is Liverpool’s undisputed No1 between the posts at Anfield and has already kept one clean sheet this season. The 30-year-old has started all five of the Reds’ top-flight games so far and denied Aston Villa. But Klopp saw scope for the Brazilian to take a rest this Thursday.

So, Kelleher made only his 22nd senior appearance since the 10-cap Republic of Ireland star made his Liverpool debut in September 2019. Although the Cork-born ‘keeper could not add to his 10 clean sheets so far. Instead, he conceded for a 28th time but the Reds still won 3-1.

Florian Flecker (14’) stunned Liverpool when the midfielder put LASK ahead in their Europa League tie on Thursday. The 27-year-old riffled the ball home from the edge of the box after a well-worked corner. His shot sailed through the crowded area and past a helpless Kelleher.

Kelleher is desperate to earn further Europa League minutes

Second-half goals by Darwin Nunez (56’), Luis Diaz (63’) and Mohamed Salah (88’) sealed the Reds all three points, though. Now, Kelleher’s attention is already turning to the visit of Union SG to Anfield on October 5 as the Liverpool star pleads for Europa League game time.

“It’s my first competitive game since Southampton,” Kelleher told Liverpool’s official website after the LASK tie. “Same as outfielders, there’s always that bit of rustiness. It was nice to get out there and, hopefully, I can play a few more games in this competition.”