If Caoimhin Kelleher has learned one thing at Liverpool then it is the value of patience. This was a day for that

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, left, and Chiedozie Ogbene after the international friendly against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium

Here’s the thing: what would it take for Caoimhin Kelleher to depose Gavin Bazunu as Ireland’s No.1? At what point could the scales tip away from a man who has excelled in his ten senior caps to date, and towards Liverpool’s second-choice but highly-rated keeper?

We ask because it was obviously in Kelleher’s best interests if Michy Batshuayi or Hans Vanaken managed a couple of sniffs at Ireland’s net in the course of Saturday’s friendly with Roberto Martinez’s Belgian B-team rather than the goals they claimed in the 2-2 draw.