‘He’s brilliant’… Caoimhin Kelleher names the Liverpool outfield player who’s helped him so much

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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has opened up on the help he’s been receiving from Virgil van Dijk.

Kelleher continued his run in the team last night, picking up Liverpool’s first away clean sheet of the campaign.

It was a joint effort, with Ibrahima Konate in particular really tested by the Sheffield United forward line. But having stood firm at one end, the Reds back-line were also decisive at the other, Van Dijk volleying home the opener from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner.

Asked about that goal by LFCTV after the game, Kelleher was quick to pile praise on the Liverpool captain.

“He caught it so nicely,” raved the 25-year-old. “We know he’s brilliant with his feet anyway, it wasn’t a surprise he finished it off.

“I think he’s brilliant. He always has been even when he wasn’t captain, before that he’s always been brilliant. He talks you through the game, he’s always positive and trying to help you as well. So yeah, he’s always great to have there.”

Kelleher thanks Van Dijk

With Alisson Becker injured, it’s really important that Van Dijk has stood up to guide Kelleher through.

Although he’s 25 now, the Irishman has only played 40 games of senior football in his career so far. To all intents and purposes he’s still a rookie.

Van Dijk is very much the opposite of that. A centre-back of immense experience, the Dutchman is now the leader in the team.

As a result, he’s very much the man Kelleher should be looking to to give him confidence and support.

Thankfully, that’s what Virgil does best. Although he’s a superstar of world football, the Netherlands skipper is down-to-earth and humble. In his own post-game interview, Liverpool’s No.4 made sure to praise Kelleher too, calling him ‘world-class.’

While that may be a little over-the-top, Caoimh knows he can count on Van Dijk as a captain and as a centre-half, and that’s so important.

Last night wasn’t the busiest of Kelleher’s career, but he still did what was expected of him with a minimum of fuss. After a slightly awkward game against Fulham on Sunday, it was exactly what the back-up goalie needed.

If everything goes smoothly, Crystal Palace on Saturday may be the last time Kelleher is needed before Alisson returns. With Virgil in-front of him once again, he can rest assured that he’ll get all the help he needs.