Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher insists he has no fears about going back into the Old Trafford madhouse.
Kelleher, 25, has been outstanding for the table-topping Reds in the absence of injured No 1 Alisson Becker this season and will once again be Jurgen Klopp ’s last line of defence when Liverpool face old foes Manchester United.
His first appearance at Old Trafford saw him concede four times as United knocked their biggest rivals out of the FA Cup last month. But the Irishman’s unflustered temperament was a big factor in why Klopp refused to countenance his departure from the club last summer to secure more game-time.
And Kelleher said: “It was a good lesson. It was my first time playing at Old Trafford - and you could feel the crowd. It’s similar to Anfield in that respect. But we have to manage that better. We will go there and try to control the crowd as much as we can.
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“I don’t get overly nervous for games. That’s just my personality. I’ve always been quite calm - and it’s worked out well so far. I am quite relaxed on and off the pitch. On it, I trust in my ability - and I’ve always believed in the ability I have. I suppose I take that belief with me and try to show my personality out there.
Kelleher conceded four times in the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford (Getty Images)“It’s important that you have the ability to stay level-headed as a goalkeeper because you need to make good decisions in a split-second. You need to be able to stay calm if you are to make the right decisions.”
When Kelleher spoke to his manager about leaving Liverpool before the start of the season, Klopp told him he couldn’t allow him to depart.
The Liverpool boss assured the Cork-born Republic of Ireland international that he would get minutes on the pitch - and both Kelleher and Alisson have played 24 games this season as the Reds continue to challenge for the Premier League and Europa League.
Kelleher has now played 24 times this season, the same amount as Liverpool No.1 Alisson (Getty Images)He was also in the team when the Merseysiders beat Chelsea to lift the Carabao Cup in February. Kelleher accepts that he might have to consider his future again when Klopp departs in the summer.
He said: “There were obviously discussions because I wanted to play as much as I can. It was clear that because of the circumstances, that I had to stay. It was very unfortunate that Ali picked up an injury but on the other side it’s been an opportunity for me to get more games. The manager did say that anything can happen like that.
“It couldn’t have worked out much better, to be fair. I’ve obviously had a lot of games this season, so the decision to stay was probably the right one. It’s been really good for me to get this run of games. It’s what I have been working for, to get this opportunity to play a run of games and get that rhythm.
“There’s been the added bonus of winning the Carabao and now going for more trophies. I am playing football at the highest level, going for the major trophies - and that’s what every player wants to do. I am really enjoying myself.
“To be fair, I have not thought much about it (the future). There are so many important games coming up that if I took my mind of those, I think I can’t afford to do it. I’ve just been focusing on what I’m doing, trying to do well, and we’ll see what happens.”
Kelleher’s hometown in Ireland is split between Liverpool and United - and he refused to confirm which shade of red he preferred as a youngster.
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But he is keen to leave Old Trafford as winner this time after admitting there were some regrets about how Liverpool failed to make their dominance pay before having their quadruple dream wrecked by a dramatic 4-3 defeat last time.
Kelleher hails from Cork, which is full or both Liverpool and United fans (ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)He said: “It’s nice for us to be going back so we can right the wrongs of that FA Cup defeat. The sooner the better for us. We made a lot of chances and should have put the game to bed - and when you don’t anything can happen.
“You need to take your chances. We’re going to go there looking to get a win this time. We were also a bit disappointed in our overall performance so we want to go back there and do much better.
“The two main clubs over there are Liverpool and Man U. It’s a massive fanbase for both, so it will be interesting on Sunday back in Ireland. I’ve got a few mates who are Man U supporters and some family and stuff. It will be interesting, so hopefully we can get on the right side of a result.”
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