At just 19-years old, Ireland's Caoimhin Kelleher has had a summer to remember during Liverpool's pre-season tour of North America.
Having never before featured in the first-team since his arrival at the club three years ago, Kelleher found himself facing off against both Manchester City and United, and, according to the underage international 'keeper; "It's been crazy."
Speaking to Liverpool's official club website, Kelleher revealed how even he had been surprised by Jurgen Klopp's decision to demonstrate his faith in his talents; "I wasn’t expecting to play really, but to get the opportunity was just unbelievable.”
It may have been the young 'keeper's first experience of elite-level football at such close-quarters, but not too many before him would have been introduced in the circumstances that Kelleher found himself facing up to against United in Michigan.
Yet, even with a gathered crowd of over 100,000 people, Kelleher found that he "really enjoyed it"; a detail demonstrated in his positive displays thus far.
Although it has been a fantastic tour for the Irish 'keeper, he is all too aware that breaking into the Liverpool first team for the season ahead may be a bridge too far. However, with the arrival of the Brazilian 'keeper Alisson, Kelleher see an opportunity to learn:
I’ve learned a lot from him already. He’s a top-class goalkeeper and a really nice guy as well which helps. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him really. He’s a really good shot-stopper and he’s really quick, so I’m learning little things off that. He’s Brazilian as well, so he’s got a few skills!
Hoping to get greater playing-time with Liverpool's U23s for the year ahead, it might not be too long before Caoimhin Kelleher begins to feature in the senior Irish set up also.
