Five Liverpool players were in action for their countries on Thursday, with three tasting victory and two falling to defeat.
Five more will take to the field on Friday, with outings for Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds’ Dutch trio and Mohamed Salah.
Given recent events in their goalkeeping department, Liverpool fans will also no doubt have a close eye on how Giorgi Mamardashvili gets on for Georgia against Ukraine.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Alisson Becker will Liverpool’s next seven games at least, with Caoimhin Kelleher once again desperately needing to step up.
Kelleher proved last season that he is a more than able deputy for Alisson, but after Mamardashvili’s signing there remains huge uncertainty over his future.
In the meantime, Kelleher’s new-found status at Liverpool has led to him taking over No.1 duties for Ireland. But while he has been solid in the main part for his nation, there is seemingly still one major ‘question’ over the Liverpool academy graduate.
Caoimhin Kelleher question mark revealed
Kelleher is set to be a big player for Liverpool in the coming weeks. The Reds have a punishing run of fixtures and they’re really going to need him to be at his best.
Thankfully, playing regularly for his country will only help to reinforce confidence into Kelleher and give him rhythm ahead of the restart of club football.
Winning helps too, of course, and Ireland did that on Thursday, seeing off Finland 2-1 in Dublin.
As was expected, Kelleher played the full 90 minutes for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team. But according to national outlet RTE, it was not the goalie’s best display.
READ MORE: What Liverpool insiders really think about Caoimhin Kelleher’s situation at Anfield
Handing Kelleher a six out of ten, they claim that ‘questions remain’ about the Liverpool ‘keeper’s communication with his defence.
The 25-year-old reportedly had a ‘mix up’ with centre-back Nathan Collins but was ultimately let off the hook by Finland. RTE call for Kelleher to ‘be more vocal’ with the defenders in front of him.
Despite that one issue, though, it seems like the Irishman did well enough and is described as ‘alert and switched on when needed to be.’
The Irish Examiner saw no real issue with Kelleher’s display, also handing him a six out of ten and noting a couple of ‘straightforward’ saves. The Finland goal was seemingly not Caoimhin’s business, either, with the goalie said to be ‘powerless’ to stop the Fin’s from scoring.
Which games is Caoimhin Kelleher set to start for Liverpool?
At times it should be remembered that despite turning 26 next month, Kelleher is still a really inexperienced goalkeeper. The Ireland international has yet to reach 70 appearances in senior football.
Despite that, he plays with a confidence and authority rarely seen in one so unused to playing regularly. There’s a reason Liverpool rate Kelleher at more than £25m.
Nevertheless, there will inevitably be small issues that need ironing out. You can see that Caoimh has grown into his role at Liverpool, for example, but he certainly could be more vocal and commanding at times.
That will only come with getting games, though, and that’s exactly what is set to happen for Kelleher over the next six weeks.
With Alisson confirmed to miss seven matches for Liverpool, the No.2 will feature against Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton twice, Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa. Plenty of chance to work on those communication skills.
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