Pep Lijnders says Liverpool have ‘world-class’ player who’s barely featured

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Pep Lijnders has branded Caoimhin Kelleher as a ‘world-class’ goalkeeper despite the shot-stopper playing just once for Liverpool this season.

Speaking to the press ahead of Liverpool’s League Cup clash against Leicester City, the Reds’ assistant coach praised the 24-year-old, who is expected to start at Anfield tomorrow night.

Kelleher has featured just once this season, that appearance coming in last week’s UEFA Europa League opener against LASK in Austria.

Strongly linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, Kelleher has remained Jurgen Klopp’s deputy to Alisson Becker this season, with the Irish talent expected to have another chance tomorrow night.

Indeed, Kelleher is clearly too good to be sat behind Alisson at Liverpool, and for Lijnders, the Dutch coach is happy that the Republic of Ireland international remained on Merseyside this summer.

Lijnders said: “For me, he could play in any Premier League team, he’s a world-class keeper. He needs game time. It was good that he stayed with us. We want two top ones in each position.”

Kelleher can use upcoming Liverpool fixtures to win 2024 transfer

Kelleher arguably made a mistake in not leaving Liverpool this summer, even with the likes of Lijnders publically pleased that the 24-year-old ultimately stayed at Anfield for the season.

The Irish star is clearly good enough to be a number one in the Premier League, and League Cup and Europa League fixtures can help Kelleher in securing a transfer next year.

Interest is clearly there in the Cork-born goalkeeper, and for Kelleher, he will have to grasp every chance that comes his way in order to secure a move in 2024.