Liverpool's penalty-saving hero, Caoimhin Kelleher, has claimed that it is important to maintain the confidence the side is showing ahead of their clash with Manchester City this weekend.
Arne Slot's side beat Madrid 2-0 at Anfield last night, thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister. Kelleher also saved Kylian Mbappé's penalty at 1-0 to preserve their lead.
The next test will be against Manchester City, their arch-rivals, this coming Sunday. The Reds will be in buoyant mood, having been nearly perfect this season, while Manchester City have failed to win their last six games in a row.
Speaking after the game last night, Kelleher admitted that it was important for the side to build on their confidence and take it into the city test this weekend.
Caoimhin Kelleher has made 3 penalty saves in the last 2 weeks for club and country 🧱 pic.twitter.com/tycbRAVDtZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024
"I think confidence is high within the whole squad, but we know Man City. They have not been on the best run at the moment, but what a team," said the Cork native to TNT
"So we're going to expect a really tough test again, and it's important that we keep winning in the league as well to keep that gap.
"So, we’ll build on this; it’s good confidence for the team, and we’ll try to go again."
Kelleher's heroics in goal have made him a cult hero on Merseyside, and whatever happens regarding his Liverpool future, he has already cemented a legacy at the club. Reflecting on the save, the Irish keeper added, "For me, I don't really look at the player too much. Obviously, I felt confident—I’ve saved two in the last week or so—and thankfully I went the right way again."
Kelleher has performed admirably in Alisson Becker's absence, and it would be harsh if Slot decided to drop the Corkman in this form. However, it is expected to happen, with Alisson returning to the fold for the clash with City.
Speaking earlier this month, Slot confirmed that Alisson would return to the side when fit. “First of all, Alisson needs to become fit, and I’ve always been quite clear—and that’s always been the position of Alisson—that he is, and will be, our first goalkeeper if he is fit,” Slot told a press conference earlier this month.
“Therefore, he first needs to be it, but Caoimhin has done outstandingly well last season and this season again as well. But the moment Alisson is fit, he will be our first goalkeeper.”
Liverpool's game with City takes place this Sunday and kicks off at 4:30 PM. The game can be seen on Sky.
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