Jurgen Klopp has praised Republic of Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for his performance on his debut last night.
The Cork youngster made a couple of big saves in keeping a clean sheet in the Premier League leader's 2-0 win at MK Dons in the Carabao Cup.
Klopp says Kelleher played an important role in the victory:
“Caoimh Kelleher… to be honest, these games are there so the boys can show how good they are.
"For a goalie, it’s quite difficult in a game like this but then being there having not a lot to do over the whole game and then having these kind of saves, that’s absolutely brilliant so I’m happy about that as well.
“We could have done better, of course, in that period, there’s no doubt about that. But before that we controlled the game, we started well as a team but then we got a bit stiff because we didn’t score. An early goal would have helped, we have to force the goal then obviously.”
Teenagers Harvey Elliot and Ki-Jana Hoever also played their first games for the Reds and Klopp feels it was a vital experience for both.
“The team tonight was a team with a lack of rhythm and a lack of experience. The most experienced and the player with the most rhythm was the best player on the pitch — Millie was pretty obvious.
“But it’s so important that we still do these games, that we are brave enough to use the boys. We are not here with this line-up because we don’t respect the competition, we are here to win the game, no other reason.
“We don’t fly to London with all that stuff and then say goodbye. So I am really happy that we went through, that’s cool and that the boys felt adult’s football as well, that’s really important.
“Very physical situations for offensive players especially, not overly hard, but hard challenges. But still they could show in moments how good they are, so big step for them and I am really happy. All good.”
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