Liverpool could have lost goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Manchester United in 2015
A report by The Athletic (h/t Daily Star) has mentioned that Caoimhin Kelleher was on the verge of trying out for Manchester United before signing for Liverpool in 2015.
The young Irish goalkeeper has impressed for Liverpool against Ajax Amsterdam and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the past week. The inexperienced 22-year-old was put in between the sticks for Liverpool after Alisson Becker suffered a hamstring injury.
His impressive performance in a 1-0 win against Ajax earned him a start against Wolves this weekend, where he also kept a clean sheet. The match could have turned out very differently if Kelleher didn’t deny Daniel Podence’s audacious chip early on.
However, the Reds cruised to a 4-0 victory which saw them go level on points with league leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Kelleher now looks to be Liverpool’s preferred ‘number 2‘ over Adrian San Miguel.
The aforementioned report, though, reveals that it could all have been very different for Kelleher, who was scheduled to have a trial at Manchester United in 2015.
The then-Liverpool academy defender Conor Masterson urged the Reds to take a look at Kelleher, and the Reds offered him a trial at the academy where he impressed with his technical ability. (h/t Daily Star)
Kelleher was signed by Liverpool in the summer of 2015 for a £30,000 fee and has come a long way to become a starter for Liverpool in the absence of Alisson Becker.
Speaking about his impressive performances recently, Jurgen Klopp expressed his admiration for the Irish youngster.
“Caoimhin is a sensationally talented goalie. And for goalies it’s really difficult. Goalies have to wait, they can be exceptional but they have to wait for their chance because there’s only one goalie on the pitch and if he plays for 10 years in a row, it’s pretty difficult. You can be still a wonderful goalie and nobody will see.”
Liverpool now travel to play Midtjylland in a UEFA Champions League dead-rubber in Denmark this week. With the Reds already qualified and Alisson already injured, Kelleher can expect a third straight start for the club.
