Liverpool Jurgen Klopp has expressed surprise that Caoimhin Kelleher isn't the first-choice goalkeeper for Ireland.
Kelleher has been minding the sticks for Liverpool in recent weeks, with Alisson Becker ruled out initially with a virus, followed by a hamstring injury.
The Corkman is also preparing for next week's Carabao Cup Final, having kept goal for Liverpool in every round of the competition so far.
Kelleher remains reliant on Alisson being absent in order to pick up Premier League minutes, and the same situation applies with Ireland, where Gavin Bazunu is ahead of him in the pecking order.
The pair made their international debuts within three months of each other in 2021, but it was Bazunu who was favoured by former manager Stephen Kenny, with the Southampton man accumulating 21 caps compared to Kelleher's 11.
Jurgen Klopp weighs in on Ireland goalkeeper situation
After Kelleher played in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Brentford on Saturday, Klopp suggested that the 25-year-old should be first-choice for Ireland, while also claiming not know that Bazunu is the man keeping him out of the side.
"He was outstanding," said the soon-to-be former Reds boss. "I don't know exactly, to be honest, who is the number one [goalkeeper] in Ireland but if they have a better goalkeeper than him I have to say, 'respect.'"
"He's outstanding and this year we gave him more games than he had previously. It's well deserved because we need him.
"We will see how long Ali is out, but Caoimhin is exceptional. Today he was... wow! It was an A-plus performance.”
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Next week's Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea is a repeat of the 2022 Wembley showpiece, when Kelleher scored the winning goal in an epic penalty shootout, after keeping a clean sheet in a scoreless draw.
Any prospective Ireland managers are sure to be keeping tabs, as Kelleher looks to help Liverpool pick up more silverware.
