National media drools over Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher | OneFootball

As many as 26 Liverpool players are currently on international duty, and Arne Slot will be praying that his players do not get injured.

Ryan Gravenberch has been omitted from the Dutch national squad due to an injury he sustained in the Carabao Cup final, while Ibrahima Konate appeared to have also suffered a knock while playing for France.

Several Liverpool players were in action on Thursday night for their countries, including goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper started in the 2-1 win over Bulgaria in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off at the Hristo Botev Stadium.

Kelleher is the second-choice keeper at Liverpool behind Alisson and started in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.

He produced another impressive performance for his country and was not at fault for Bulgaria’s goal.

The visitors fell behind inside six minutes to Marin Petkov’s early goal, but they responded strongly, with Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty scoring in the first half.

How the national media reacted to Caoimhin Kelleher’s display vs Bulgaria

The Irish Independent was impressed by the Liverpool goalkeeper’s “solid” distribution during the match and noticed he barely had to make a save.

They wrote: “The Liverpool keeper retained his place but will be disappointed not to have gotten down quicker to prevent Marin Petkov’s early opener. Solid distribution and barely had to make a save thereafter.”

The Irish Daily Mirror noted that he wasn’t challenged enough and wasn’t at fault for Bulgaria’s opener. They gave him a 7/10 rating.

The newspaper wrote: “Couldn’t be faulted for Bulgaria’s opener and had little else to do, apart from the odd speculative shot and occasional back-pass. 7.”

The Irish Daily Mail praised Kelleher’s “cool and composed” approach and noted that he had little to do.

The newspaper mentioned: “Was his usual cool and composed self but was given very little to do across the 90. Did nothing wrong for Bulgaria’s early goal.”

Caoimhin Kelleher could leave Liverpool in the summer

Kelleher is probably the best second-choice keeper in the Premier League, but it has reached a point where he cannot simply continue to play the second-fiddle role.

He is more than capable of playing regularly for any Premier League side, and he has stated his desire to do that. Liverpool are likely to allow him to move on in the summer, and they have already signed a replacement.

Liverpool are set to welcome Georgian star Giorgi Mamardashvili to Merseyside in the summer, and his arrival will pave the way for the 26-year-old’s potential exit.