'I’ve got Man U mates' - calm Caoimhín Kelleher relishing another taste of red divide
Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
CAOIMHÍN Kelleher knew all about the Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry growing up as a young football fan in Cork. This afternoon, at Old Trafford, the goalkeeper experiences the fixture first-hand for the second time in three weeks, vindicating his decision to stay at Anfield.
Speculation was rife last summer, fueled in no small part from within the Ireland international camp, that the 25-year-old would seek to leave Liverpool in search of regular first-team football.
But a hamstring injury to Alisson has hastened the development of the keeper, who expects to make his 24th appearance of the season at United - one more than Alisson, and the last 13 of them consecutive.
As recently as January, Nottingham Forest were keen to offer Kelleher regular first-team football but, instead, events at Anfield this season have fully vindicated that decision last year to remain at the club he joined from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015.
“There were obviously discussions because I wanted to play as much as I can,” said Kelleher. “It was clear that because of the circumstances I was in, that I had to stay.
“Obviously I got this big opportunity, which can always happen. The manager did say that anything can happen like that.
“It was very unfortunate that Alli picked up an injury but on the other side it’s been an opportunity for me to get more games.
“It couldn’t have worked out much better, to be fair. I’ve obviously had a lot of games this season, so the decision to stay was probably the right one.”
There can be no doubting that statement. Kelleher has already won the EFL Cup this season, playing in the final win over Chelsea, adding to the winner’s medal he collected in the competition two years ago, after a heroic display in a penalty shoot-out victory over the same opponents.
Alisson’s return to training is imminent and his availability for selection moves ever closer, but Kelleher could yet add Premier and Europa League medals to that collection, even if the fact that the Final of the latter takes place in Dublin had somehow passed him by!
“You’ve just reminded me of that. I didn’t even think about it,” he laughed. “We have to get there first, obviously, but if we do I am sure it will be mad.”
Beyond June, there will, inevitably, be more discussions about his future, given Alisson’s standing as one of the best keepers in world football, although any such negotiations will have to wait.
“To be fair, I have not thought much about it,” said Kelleher. “There are so many important games coming up that if I took my mind off those, I think I can’t afford to do it.
“I’ve just been focusing on what I’m doing, trying to do well, and we’ll see what happens.
“It’s obviously been really good for me to get this run of games. It’s what I have been working for, to get this opportunity to play a run of games and get that rhythm.
“There’s been the added bonus of winning the Carabao and now going for more trophies.
“I am playing football at the highest level, going for the major trophies - and that’s what every player wants to do. I am really enjoying myself.”
Growing up, Kelleher was, of course, all too aware of the Liverpool-United rivalry that divides Irish-based Premier League supporters and one which he experienced for the first time, as a player, in his team’s recent chaotic 4-3 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
“The two main clubs over there are Liverpool and Man United,” he said. “It’s a massive fanbase for both, so it will be interesting on Sunday back in Ireland.
“I’ve got a few mates who are Man U supporters and some family and stuff. It will be interesting, so hopefully we can get on the right side of a result.
“It was a good lesson. It was my first time playing at Old Trafford and you could feel the crowd. It’s similar to Anfield. We have to manage that better as well. We will go there and try to control the crowd as much as we can.
“We made a lot of chances and should have put the game to bed - and when you don’t anything can happen. You need to take your chances. We’re going to go there looking to get a win this time.
“We should have put the game to bed before they scored towards the end, so there was a feeling that we should have had it won. We were also a bit disappointed in our overall performance so we want to go back there and do much better.
“It’s nice for us to be going back so we can right the wrong of that FA Cup defeat. It’s the sooner the better for us.”
The nature of today’s game may mean some divided loyalties among family and friends - “no comment,” beamed Kelleher diplomatically when asked about United fans in his own ranks - and a phone that has been buzzing with messages about a game that could have a major bearing on the Premier League title race.
But, if his previous displays this season are anything to go, Kelleher’s placid and unflappable demeanour - one often commented upon by team-mates - seems likely to be pivotal to the game’s outcome.
“I don’t know why, it’s just my personality. I am quite relaxed off the pitch and on it, I trust in my ability - and I’ve always believed in the ability I have,” he said.
“I suppose I take that belief with me and try to show my personality out there. It’s important that you have the ability to stay level-headed as a goalkeeper because you need to make good decisions in a split-second.
“You need to be able to stay calk if you are to make those right decisions. I don’t get overly nervous for games. That’s just my personality. I’ve always been quite calm - and it’s worked out well so far.”
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