Phil Thompson has praised Caoimhin Kelleher’s composure, with the Liverpool legend saying the goalkeeper is the exact opposite of Jordan Pickford.
The Republic of Ireland international was named in Liverpool’s starting XI this afternoon with Alisson Becker still out injured for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Despite his relative inexperience playing in the Premier League, Kelleher remains a highly-rated player in Liverpool’s squad, with the 25-year-old impressing in Europe for the Reds this season.
And speaking to Liverpool’s official Twitter account, Thompson lauded how composed Kelleher looks between the sticks, with the pundit saying his personality is the opposite of Everton star Pickford.
Thompson said when asked about how mature Kelleher looks: “You look at Caoimhin and think ‘wow, he’s a young lad but he’s so composed.’
“And as a defender, playing in front of him, you enjoy that. I don’t like these people, dare I say like Jordan Pickford, who pick on anyone because they’ve let in a shot.”
Caoimhin Kelleher’s calmness will take him far for Liverpool
Goalkeepers being loud and proud is nothing new, and it’s something that has helped Pickford establish himself as England’s no. 1 and one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the Premier League.
Yet for Kelleher, remaining calm is a good fit for the Liverpool talent, and it’s something that could help the Irish international go quite far in his Anfield career.
With Alisson a similar goalkeeper, Kelleher modelling his personality on the Brazilian is a smart decision given how consistently brilliant the former AS Roma superstar is.
Indeed, Kelleher has the potential to become a brilliant goalkeeper at the highest level, and remaining calm and level-headed is a good way to use his talents when on the pitch.
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