Caoimhin Kelleher was surely the standout performer for Jurgen Klopps’ Liverpool FC on Tuesday night at Anfield as the Merseysiders edged out Ajax 1-0 courtesy to a second-half goal from Curtis Jones.
With the win over the Dutch giants, the Reds sealed qualification to the Last-16 of the 2020-21 Champions League campaign, capping off an influential display at home in the mid-week fixture.
Kelleher’s inclusion in the XI for the Ajax clash came as a surprise to many prior to the start of the game, with Alisson’s injury expectedly paving the way for second-choice Adrian to step in between the sticks. However, Klopp chose to hand the 22-year-old Kelleher his European debut in what was a much-needed win for the hosts.
And the Irish goalkeeper was in fine form throughout the game, making as many as three fantastic saves to lead his team to a narrow but convincing victory.
2 – Caoimhín Kelleher is the 11th goalkeeper to appear for Liverpool in the Champions League but only the second to keep a clean sheet on his debut for the Reds in the competition, after @ChrisKirkland43 (v Galatasaray in 2002). Safe. pic.twitter.com/r9S7bZxFPl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2020
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com after the match, Kelleher expressed delight at having kept a clean sheet against Ajax, adding that the first save gave him the confidence going ahead in the tense encounter.
“Just over the moon really with how the whole night went for me and for the whole team to get the win and to qualify. Just delighted.”
“I’m just working hard every day in training, preparing myself. I’m always thinking if a chance does come, I’ll have to be ready for it. So that’s why I work every day and thankfully all that work did pay off.”
“Obviously it just kind of settles you in, I suppose. It gives you more confidence that you can make them and gave me confidence from there. Thankfully I was able to make a few others.”
