Virgil van Dijk has told Caoimhín Kelleher that now is the time to step up, with the Corkman in the midst of a run in the Liverpool starting line-up.
Illness and and injury suffered by Alisson Becker in recent months has meant that Kelleher has picked up a few rare Premier League starts between the Liverpool sticks.
The Corkman's 14 appearances in all competitions this season is more than he has racked up in any previous one, owing to his regular cup appearances and a Europa League group stage campaign.
Kelleher's job is made easier when there's someone like Van Dijk playing in front of him, and the Liverpool skipper has outlined the trust he has in his teammate, on the back of a 4-1 victory at Brentford on Saturday.
Virgil Van Dijk: Caoimhín Kelleher is "world-class"
"I always said that he is a world-class goalkeeper," the Dutchman told the club website.
"It is very difficult to be a second ’keeper but there is no shame in being second goalkeeper to one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world."
Van Dijk also made an interesting point about Kelleher's confidence, appearing to suggest that the 25-year-old has been lacking in that department.
Ahead of the visit to Anfield of Luton Town on Wednesday, and the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, Van Dijk has challenged Kelleher to step up, and for supporters to show that they have confidence in his abilities.
10 September 2023; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Challenge issued to Caoimhín Kelleher
"He has to step up now and everyone needs a bit of confidence and everyone should give him the confidence that he will do the job," added Van Dijk. "Everyone needs a bit of love from the outside. Hopefully Saturday will help him carry on and take that confidence into the next game.”
Facing Chelsea in a League Cup final is a road Kelleher has been down before, having kept a clean sheet and scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out following a scoreless draw in the 2022 showpiece.
That occasion was the highlight of his club career so far, and if he can repeat his heroics this time around, Van Dijk's comments will have been vindicated.
See Also: 7 Irish Players Facing Pivotal Periods In Their Career Over The Coming Months
