Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with an impressive 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.
A quickfire double from Luis Diaz was followed up by a wonderful strike from Darwin Nunez, securing all three points for Arne Slot’s men.
the Dutchman has overseen four wins out of his first five league outings as Liverpool boss.
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Liverpool were dealt a blow ahead of the weekend, when Alisson Becker – who has kept three clean sheets already this season – was ruled out with a slight muscle issue.
It paved the way for Caoimhin Kelleher to make his first start of the season, just weeks after expressing his frustration for not departing Anfield in his pursuit of regular first-team football.
Kelleher hit out at Liverpool’s decision to bring another goalkeeper to the club. Speaking to the media on international duty for the Republic of Ireland, the shot-stopper was dejected figure when questioned by the media on his future.
“I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one, play week in week out,” he answered.
“The club’s made that decision to go and get another goalkeeper in which, yeah, obviously from the outside looking in looks like they’ve made a decision to go a different direction.”
Caoimhin Kelleher looks on as he answers questions at an Irish press conference.
Two points were proven as Kelleher shines
With Kelleher and Liverpool both standing firm on their views in the saga, both points were proven as the 25-year-old produced a colossal display to deny Bournemouth from scoring.
Despite Liverpool conceding 1.01xG to the Cherries, Kelleher managed to keep a clean sheet, making seven saves and nine recoveries.
The Irishman’s most notable save was to prevent Trent Alexander-Arnold from scoring an own goal after a headed attempt crashed off the upright into the defender, who knew nothing about it.
🇮🇪 Huge credit to Caoimhin Kelleher today.
Conceded 1.01 xG but managed to keep a cleansheet.
Made 7 saves in total and 9 recoveries as well.
One of the most underrated goalkeepers in the league. pic.twitter.com/CkRpm1wCPf
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) September 21, 2024
Kelleher’s dominance on Saturday reinforced just how good he is, and why he is eager to be demonstrating his remarkable skillset elsewhere as a number one goalkeeper.
On the flip side, with Giorgi Mamardashvili due to join the Reds next summer, Kelleher’s display proves to him exactly why Liverpool did not want to let him go this summer, amid the 25-year-old’s desire to depart Anfield.
Kelleher has proven his worth over recent seasons, with the biggest compliment being that you wouldn’t recognise Alisson’s absence on plenty of occasions when the Irishman was needed.
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