‘I’m over the moon’ – Caoimhin Kelleher on Ajax win and CL standings

The Irish goalkeeper made an eye-catching display on his European debut for the Reds to help them reserve their place in the round of 16 of the competition as Group D winners.

Curtis Jones’s second-half spike tied the game, although Kelleher kept a vital clean sheet with several impressive saves throughout the Anfield game.

Read on for Liverpoolfc.com’s post-match chat with the 22-year-old …

Congratulations, can you tell us how you feel right now?

I was really excited about how it was all night for me and the whole team to get the win and qualify. Simply delighted.

When did you get the idea that this game would start tonight?

So I found out yesterday, the management told me and stuff. Then, in the team form that we did, I was the starting goalkeeper. So I found out yesterday. Obviously, I was excited when I found out and then tried to focus on the game from there.

Coming to a big Champions League game like this is why you work so hard …

I just work hard every day in training, preparing. I’m always thinking that if an opportunity comes along, I’ll have to be prepared for it. That’s why I work every day and luckily all that work paid off.

What did the first big save of the first half give you in terms of confidence?

Obviously, I guess it makes you feel comfortable. It gives you more confidence that you can do them and it gave me confidence from there. Fortunately I was able to do a few others.

About the team’s performance, the way you attacked the game, you could probably have won by more goals in the end …

We had a few chances there, especially in the second half, I thought we could have scored a few more. I think the main thing tonight was to win and qualify. There are so many games on this hectic schedule that we just have to do our best. We qualified tonight so that was the main objective.

Tell us about the big save at the end to deny Klaas-Jan Huntelaar …

I’m obviously happy to do it, just to keep the team in it and score three points. That’s why I’m there and luckily tonight I was able to help the team.

What did Alisson Becker say to you before the game? We also saw a big hug from Adrian before the start …

I didn’t see Ali yesterday because I think he was gone, but I got a text message before the game just to say good luck. Adrian was very supportive. He told me: ‘I’m with you 100% and I support you no matter what.’ Getting that from him was very kind of him.

You were the first player the coach ran to after the game. That must have meant a lot …

Of course, it was a good time for him to come up to me and get a hug. He just said he totally deserved it, so it was a good time for me.

Finally, if Alisson isn’t ready for the weekend, you’ve made your claim now …

That is all I can do. When I get my chance, I just need to take it. I think I did well tonight, so I hope I can move on and if I get another chance I take it again.