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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he faces a dilemma choosing between Caoimhin Kelleher and fellow Liverpool deputy goalkeeper Adrian for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Wolves.
With established number one Alisson Becker still out with a thigh problem, Irishman Kelleher is in contention to make his Premier League debut ahead of his Spanish counterpart Adrian.
The Cork native was the surprise substitute in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Ajax and impressed with a series of key saves en route to keeping a clean sheet.
“A great decision, yes, but thank God it worked. It’s not always like that. But that’s good and we’ll see,” Klopp said of Tuesday’s result.
“Caoimhin is a sensationally talented goalkeeper – now he had the opportunity and I think he convinced everyone.
“But Adrian doesn’t deserve to just be dismissed now, there is no reason for that. He supported Caoimhin in an exceptional way after receiving the information that he would not start, he behaved amazingly.
“There are not many reasons that I could mention at this point to say that he will not start against the Wolves, but there is training and other things, he has to stay in shape, we have sessions.
“But he has done enough to convince me, but he already did it months and years ago.”
The Liverpool manager also warned England coach Gareth Southgate that he will have a problem for Euro 2020 as he will “get whatever the Premier League clubs give him” if the current three substitute rule persists.
Klopp has been the most vocal defender of ever having the option to make five changes during a game again, in line with what happened after the lockdown ended last season.
However, even though he and several other managers supported the move, there was no vote at this week’s Premier League meeting.
“I’m not surprised. I told them that in the directors’ meeting, if we had voted that day, which we were not allowed, it would have been 100% with 15 or 16 votes, ”he said.
“That it hasn’t happened since is a sign that some shareholders, CEOs and sports directors view their managers differently.”
“To be honest, that’s not a good sign. These people now really ignore the welfare of the players.
“Now almost all teams have to play every three days, it will be huge for everyone from now on and all teams will feel the difference.
“And next summer it will become a problem for Gareth Southgate. Most of the players Gareth wants to choose play (European) football, practically all of them.”
“Gareth will get what we give him if we keep three substitutes. If we keep three substitutes, then he has a problem, so it’s an FA problem.”
Klopp also responded to former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who said the current situation is making the division more competitive.
“I heard now that Gary Neville said that I did not understand. I cannot remember what he said exactly, but it is not about Liverpool,” he added.
“Whatever he thinks is maybe a test of how he would do it, how he would handle a situation like that.
“But he can’t, or shouldn’t, think I’m like him because I’m not like him. I’m talking about all the players.”
Having admitted in recent weeks that he wouldn’t even have the staff to make five changes in a game such was his injury problem Klopp is optimistic, reinforcements are just around the corner.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has missed four games due to a calf strain, and Naby Keita, who has lost three games with a hamstring problem, could return for Sunday’s visit to the Wolves .
“Trent and Naby will take their first steps in team training today,” the Reds boss said.
“There is a possibility that Naby and Trent could be on the team, I would say, if they can start or play 90 minutes, I don’t know.”
Klopp also had good news about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who hasn’t played since a preseason knee injury.
“Now he does the warm-up with the team, some ball work, and we will develop that in the coming days and weeks and we will see when it makes sense to put him in. It is not far,” he added.
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