Three weeks after Liverpool was knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford, the Premier League title favorites are making a comeback, and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has pledged to ‘correct a wrong’.
Filling in for the injured Alisson, Kelleher is undefeated in nine league games and is eager to exact revenge on Liverpool for their 4-3 cup loss in which Amad Diallo’s game-winning goal came in the final minute of extra time.
The 25-year-old acknowledged, “To be honest, we wanted to go back as soon as possible to right the wrong of that defeat—the sooner the better.”
We were not as clinical as we ought to have been, but we still had an opportunity to end that game.
It was my first visit to Old Trafford, and the atmosphere there was palpably Anfield-like. We must handle things and exert as much influence over the game as we can.
If Liverpool wins its final eight games, they will win the title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, but this matchup with their fiercest rivals appears to be the most challenging one still to come.
Kelleher is happy he decided against forcing a move last summer after growing impatient with a dearth of first-team appearances. He has already won the Carabao Cup and aims to win the Europa League with the final held in his home Ireland.
“I had a conversation with the manager.” He says, “It was obvious that I wanted to play as much as I could, but given the situation, I had to stay and now I’ve got this big opportunity.”
Although it’s terrible that Ali injured his hamstring, I was able to take advantage of the situation. To be fair, I don’t think there could have been a better outcome in terms of staying. Since I’ve played a lot of games, I believe the choice was the appropriate one.
This season, Kelleher will play in 25 games across all competitions, one more than Alisson. With so many important games left to come, he won’t consider his long-term future until the summer.
Klopp has stated that without his stand-in goalie, whose composed manner during games has been universally lauded, Liverpool’s challenge on three fronts would not have been feasible.
“That’s just my personality,” Kelleher claims. “I am at ease, but I have always had faith in my abilities, and I carry that onto the field.”
Goalkeepers must make wise decisions in a split second, thus maintaining composure is crucial.
I don’t have a lot of anxiety before games. I’ve always been quite laid back, and it’s been beneficial. I’m starting to get into the swing of things and aim for the big prizes that all players desire.