YOUNG IRISH GOALKEEPER Caoimhín Kelleher has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League final travelling squad.
Jurgen Klopp has selected a 23-man squad for the all-English showdown against Tottenham Hotspur at Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano, and the Reds will hope to go one step further after last year’s decider disappointment.
Following a change in Uefa regulations, managers will be permitted to name up to 12 substitutes for the clash meaning the Cork-born keeper should tog out and take his place on the bench.
With first-choice stopper Alisson Becker set to start between the posts and Simon Mignolet likely to be on standby, this comes as a huge honour for 20-year-old Kelleher.
In January, he was included in Liverpool’s first-team matchday squad for the first time in a competitive fixture as they were beaten by Wolves in the FA Cup after featuring in three pre-season friendlies last summer.
“He is an outstanding talent. Outstanding,” as Klopp said of the Ireland U21 international after his side’s win against Napoli in Dublin in August.
“He is very cool with the ball. He has fantastic reactions. If nothing serious happens, he has a really fantastic future. I like him a lot and I’m happy that we have him in our squad.”
Elsewhere, as expected, Naby Keita misses out through injury.
Tottenham announced their travelling squad yesterday. It can be found here.
Liverpool squad: Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Brewster, Fabinho, Firmino, Gomez, Henderson, Kelleher, Lallana, Lovren, Mane, Matip, Mignolet, Milner, Moreno, Origi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Robertson, Salah, Shaqiri, Sturridge, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum.
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Fair play to him
Great news for the lad. Hopefully he keeps progressing and is a regular in green one day. For all Irelands woes on the pitch over the years we’ve always produced quality keepers.
@Ger: gaa helps
If he somehow doesn’t make it in the sport we’ll know it’s because the Anglos couldn’t handle his first name.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: is a daily struggle here in Scotland!
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: how do you pronounce it?
@Kyle Mac Creddin: Queveen
@Kyle Mac Creddin: back up to the back up
@Richard O’Brien: correct, well done.
@Michael: Thanks Mate
@Richard O’Brien: Ah got you, Kweeveen. Thanks
Fantastic . Assume this means he going to pick up a winners medal. As the pool are going to win. From a non Liverpool fan
Another Rob Green from Wednesday night.
@Alan Brazil: what’s that? . A substitute goalkeeper?
@Alan Brazil: not really. Green wasn’t even named as one of their 3 keepers
Needs a decent loan in the summer. Probably league 1 level. Seems a real talent with a great attitude. Best of luck to him
Is there a game this weekend?
@Richard O’Brien: Yes, well done again. Brilliant.