‘Different class’… Andy Robertson says Liverpool have an ‘unbelievable’ player who’s really stepped up recently

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Liverpool have had to dig deep to come through the first months of the New Year.

With games coming thick and fast, the Reds have been forced to make do without a number of their key players. Thankfully, in the absence of some of their leading lights, other stars have begun to shine.

One of those to burn most brightly has been back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Having now played every minute of Liverpool’s last eight matches, Kelleher has made sure that the Reds haven’t missed the injured Alisson Becker.

This terrific form hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates it seems. After another terrific performance from Kelleher against Sparta Prague last night, Andy Robertson told TNT Sports that the 25-year-old has now proven himself at the highest level.

“He’s a different class ‘keeper. With his feet, with his hands, he makes important saves,” Robertson praised. “You can see the confidence that he’s playing with. You can see that every shot he believes that he can save and that’s what we need.

“We know how good Ali is, he’s best in the world and now Caoimh’s shown that he can play at this level, play in the Premier League and that can only help us. He’s been unbelievable since he came in and long may that continue for however long Ali’s out.”

Robertson hails Kelleher form

There have been a number of really pleasing storylines about Liverpool’s season so far. But Kelleher’s re-emergence as perhaps the best back-up goalkeeper around is right up there with them.

Rewind to last summer, and the Irishman could quite conceivably have left Anfield. Jurgen Klopp himself has spoken about some frank conversations he had with Kelleher about his future.

Stuck behind the best ‘keeper on the planet, game time looked like it would once again be difficult to come by for the No.2 in 2023/24.

As it has turned out though, it’s a good job that Kelleher was convinced to stick around for another year.

With two months of the season left, the Ireland international has now played 19 times since August. That’s only five less than Alisson.

As the Brazilian is still expected to be out for at least three more games, Kelleher will have almost matched him for game time upon his return.

In terms of minutes of the pitch, that is about as good as it’s ever going to get for a back-up ‘keeper.

It must be said though, that Kelleher isn’t simply a body on the pitch picking up games. He has somehow done the seemingly impossible task of making sure that Alisson actually hasn’t been missed.

If he’s keen to leave the club again this summer, then Kelleher surely won’t be short of takers now. Before then though, he’s got a big old job to do at Liverpool. If the Reds win more trophies this season, then Caoimhin has more than played his part. Long may it continue.