Everton's Andy Lonergan has hailed former Liverpool team-mate Caoimhin Kelleher as the "best young goalkeeper" he has worked with during his 21-year professional career.
The duo shared the Anfield dressing room for the 2019-2020 season as the Reds romped to a first league title success in 30 years, finishing 18 points ahead of Manchester City. Lonergan had been signed in August 2019 after early-season injuries to Alisson Becker and Adrian had left Jurgen Klopp sweating on his goalkeeping options ahead of a Premier League clash against Southampton at St Mary's.
Despite never playing a competitive game for Liverpool due to his status as the third-choice goalkeeper, the 39-year-old was viewed as an influential figure behind the scenes and was hailed by goalkeeper coach John Achterberg for his impact.
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Speaking on the Yours, Mine, Away Podcast, Lonergan, who made the move to Goodison Park in a similar third-choice role in July 2021, heaped the praise on Liverpool's Irish prodigy.
“Caoimhin Kelleher, what a goalkeeper he is going to be," said Lonergan. "He’s the best young keeper I have ever seen. He’s by far the best young goalkeeper I have ever seen. The penalties as well, yeah, he’s brilliant, what a goalkeeper."
Regardless of playing the role of understudy to arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting up-and-coming goalkeepers.
Calm in possession and boasting a renowned knack for saving penalties, Kelleher has won four shootouts during his time in the Reds' first team, one of which came at Wembley during the League Cup final last season.
After becoming the first goalkeeper to win four penalty shootouts in the club's history during the League Cup third-round tie with Derby County in November, Reds boss Klopp applauded Kelleher.
He said: “We never hold him back or say, ‘Caoimhin, you can’t play’. He’s exceptional, absolutely exceptional. Not had the best season so far because he came back from holiday and was injured. It took a really long time to get him back in training and back to speed. But obviously he’s ready now.
“The goalkeeper coaches are doing an incredible job. He’s their product, and I’m sure they would say exactly the same. What they do with him, they develop a modern goalie.
"As calm as you like, can play football and on top of that can catch balls and keep the ball out of the net in a really good manner. That’s really good."
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