Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield on August 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he was lucky to have Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks to help them beat Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Reds won 3-0 at Anfield thanks to a brace from Luis Diaz and a goal from Darwin Núñez, all in the space of 11 first-half minutes.
However, the scoreline only tells half the story, with Bournemouth matching Liverpool 19-19 for shots, while generating 1.08 xG.
But the Cherries could not find a breakthrough, thanks in large part to the efforts of Kelleher, who made no fewer than seven saves while replacing the injured Alisson Becker.
Kelleher’s stop on the line in the closing minutes was particularly impressive and served as a reminder of the quality of the Republic of Ireland international, who may leave Liverpool in the near future as they look for a No.1 spot, especially with Giorgi. Mamardashvili arrives from Valencia next summer.
KELLEHER WITH A BIG DESALT?
pic.twitter.com/kwX1iHVQqa— Mohammed (@ZAJD011) September 21, 2024
Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth: Slot praises Kelleher’s performance
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Slot expressed the importance of squad depth and was grateful to have someone of Kelleher’s quality to replace Alisson.
“Yes, but not only two goalkeepers, also two good full-backs, left-backs, two good right-backs, two good forwards. This is what you saw today. I just said about Cody, how good he was at San Siro, how good Lucho was now, and it’s the same with goalkeepers,” Slot said (via Official Liverpool website).
Of his 25-year-old goalkeeper, he added: “Today we need our goalkeeper more than in every other game we’ve played before because, as I’ve just said, Bournemouth had more chances than I’m used to seeing other teams vs. us the first six games of the season.
“But it was good that we had Caoimhin today because he made some really good saves, which Alisson (Becker) also made in the other games, but he didn’t have to make as many as Caoimhin did today.”
Top photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
