# Liverpool Reserve Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher Described as “World-Class” by Pepijn Lijnders
Liverpool’s reserve goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been described as “world-class” by the club’s assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders. Lijnders also admitted that the club are “really happy” that Kelleher is still at Anfield.
Kelleher featured four times in the Reds’ League Cup-winning 2021/22 campaign and is widely expected to start in the third round of this season’s competition against Leicester. While Lijnders didn’t confirm this in his pre-Leicester press conference, he did heap praise on the Reds’ No. 2 stopper.
## Kelleher Under Contract at Anfield Until 2026
“He has a long-term contract. For me, he could play for any Premier League team. He’s just a world-class goalkeeper,” Linjders said. “He’s not a talent anymore, he’s just a world-class goalkeeper but he needs game time. It was a really good thing that he stayed with us, that Jurgen could give him perspective. We’re really happy he is with us.”
Kelleher is under contract at Anfield until 2026 and has been given a number of opportunities in domestic cup competitions during his time on Merseyside. The Irishman has made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, his first coming back in September 2019 in a 2-0 League Cup win away at MK Dons.
## Reported Interest from Premier League Clubs Over the Summer
He was the subject of reported interest from various Premier League clubs over the summer, but he elected to remain at the club despite finding himself firmly behind Alisson in the pecking order. Whether interested parties come back in for the 24-year-old at the end of the season remains to be seen, but he is clearly held in high regard at Liverpool despite featuring less frequently than he would likely hope at this stage of his career.
Lijnders went on to explain why Kelleher is so highly rated at Anfield, saying: “You want every position with top ones who can play any kind of game. Whatever happens, we can put Caoimhin in and the game will not change a lot. He’s calm with his feet, he knows where to bring the ball, he can read it and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations. We are happy he is with us, and hopefully he stays for a long time.”
Kelleher has proved himself to be a reliable backup for Alisson and it is clear that Liverpool are keen to keep him at the club for years to come. With his contract running until 2026, it looks like Kelleher will be a part of the Reds’ setup for some time yet.