JURGEN KLOPP once described him as the best back-up goalkeeper in the world. Not an ideal status for a player in this position to have, but a status Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher has accepted for now.

Kelleher’s problem is that he’s behind a player who is arguably the best starting goalkeeper in the world.

Liverpool are strong in this area, but it’s difficult to keep hold of such good depth in a position where only one player can start, and that one player usually benefits from regular games.

Klopp spoke of the talent available to him between the posts after Kelleher scored from the penalty spot in a shootout against Chelsea in February 2022 to win that year’s EFL Cup.

“Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me,” said the Liverpool boss.

“There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane.

“But to be honest, for me, Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No 2 goalie in the world as well.

“The game he played was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more.

“And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout, he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class.”

The Corkman’s footwork is one of the things that has suggested he could be a starter for numerous Premier League clubs.

Many thought Kelleher would leave in the summer 2023 transfer window and it’s something he considered, but Klopp promised outings in the Europa League, and in cup games, of which Liverpool are likely to play plenty this season.

Kelleher has so far made six appearances in the 2023/24 campaign across games in the EFL Cup and the Europa League as promised.

Now with Alisson out injured, he will get his first Premier League appearance of the season against Fulham at Anfield on Sunday.

Ahead of this game, Klopp was asked if the 25-year-old had the quality to be Liverpool’s No 1 goalkeeper.

“Yeah, no doubt,” replied the German.

“We see him every day in training. He is an exceptional, exceptional talent.

“From day one, when I arrived, John Achterberg [Liverpool goalkeeping coach] told me this will be our homegrown boy who will make it.

“Since then we’ve seen every step. He was a boy and now he’s a man, and a top goalie, no doubt.”

Kelleher has had downs as well as ups in his appearances this season but has mostly reaffirmed his quality with the ball at his feet and ability to make saves when needed.

Even the best goalkeepers — even Alisson — can have off-days and make mistakes, but when your appearances are fewer and farther between there can be more pressure to avoid such moments. There is often not a game next week to recover.

In Liverpool’s most recent fixture, against LASK in the Europa League, Kelleher had little to do in terms of shot-stopping for much of the game but was still involved in build-up play from the back.

He completed 39 of 46 passes in total (85 per cent) and completed 11 out of 16 attempted long passes (69 per cent).

Later in the game, he was called upon to make saves, and some impressive ones at that.

One involved getting across and out to stop a shot from close range, and another was a fingertip reaction save from a deflected shot.

When Kelleher takes to the field against Fulham, it will be the first time he has played back-to-back games for the club this season.

“In general he is a very focused person,” added Klopp after the LASK game.

“You will not see him in a bar tonight celebrating the clean sheet. So that’s not a problem.

“Now he will get a few games, definitely, and I trust him.”

Regardless of what happens in these upcoming games, faith will remain in Kelleher’s talent, and interest will remain from other clubs.

More regular games at club level might see him edge his way into the starting spot more regularly at international level for Ireland.

The conundrum for club and player is that both recognise he is easily good enough to be a starting goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Liverpool want to keep him for that reason. They know there is not as much of a drop in quality from first-choice goalkeeper to backup as might be seen at other clubs, and having a homegrown club-trained player helps for squad registration purposes.

Kelleher himself knows he is better than backup, but also realises he is getting meaningful minutes at one of the biggest clubs in the world — his contribution to the EFL Cup win in 2022, for example, and games in Europe this season.

He is also able to continue to learn from a goalkeeper widely considered one of the best in the world in Alisson.

There are better titles to have than best backup goalkeeper in the world, but there are many worse.

Kelleher is now getting the chance to play in a run of games for Liverpool and prove he still holds such status.