“Obviously it was a bit strange” | Caoimhin Kelleher in injury recovery

Republic of Ireland U21 international Caoimhin Kelleher is close to being in top physical shape as he continues to recover from a knee injury at home.

The Liverpool goalkeeper suffered a medial ligament in his left knee during an under 23 game against Huddersfield in late February.

The Cork native was told he would be out of action for six to eight weeks and, although he is on the way to recovery, he had to do a little differently due to the closure of the coronavirus.

Jurgen Klopp’s team currently works from home during the Premier League’s ongoing suspension, so Kellegher has completed most of his recovery remotely under the guidance of physical therapist Joe Lewis and rehabilitation coach Dave Rydings.

“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent, but I’m almost there, 90 percent would say.”

Kelleher was able to drop his crutches after a couple of weeks and has followed a detailed recovery program to get back in top shape.

The former Ringmahon Rangers guardian has to record each exercise before sending videos to Lewis and Rydings for comment and for them to make a call when he’s ready to move on to the next stage of his rehab.

Kelleher admits it took a little getting used to: “Obviously it’s been a little strange. It’s different from [being at] Melwood, but it was fine, to be fair.

“My knee is still healing, so it was not the case that I needed to be in Melwood, so it was good that I was away. Everything went well.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the English League Cup against Arsenal at Anfield in October 2019

It also revealed the important role played by Joe Lewis and Dave Rydings in recent weeks.

“I have a good program that Joe sent me and I’ve been doing it, so it worked. Obviously I’d rather be at Melwood, but [can’t be with] the situation.

“Joe sent me a program of what I would be doing in the gym, like my gym exercises that I have to do for my knee and only for my whole body.

“I’ve been doing it, filming it and sending it to him and he’s been looking at it and seeing if I can change anything, but everything has been good.”

“My other fitness and gym related things, Dave has been taking care of me and sending me my programs for that. So I have been in touch with them, letting them know that all my sessions have been fine and my knee feels alright so it was alright

“[We speak] every few days. Obviously I let them know how my sessions are going and I can call Joe if I have a problem with my knee or something and then he will let me know what to do.

“But everything has been good.”

Kelleher also said that Liverpool goalkeeping coaches John Achterberg and Jack Robinson have been in contact with him throughout the process via goalkeeper WhatsApp group chat, which also includes Alisson, Adrian and Andy Lonergan.

“They’re always in touch. John is always on the phone or texting me, asking how my knee is and things like that and I’ve been chatting with them and telling them that everything is fine with my rehab.”

“We have a group chat of goalkeepers that they [Achterberg and Robinson] they have sent drills. The last few weeks I haven’t been able to do them, but probably from this week on I can do them.

“They’ve been sending drills for every goalkeeper we can do to maintain our fitness and things like that.”

Like all Premier League managers, Jurgen Klopp has had to do online training sessions, and Kelleher says he also offers an opportunity for all players and staff to register with each other.

“We have a full group chat with all the players and staff for everyone to participate in, letting us know how everyone is doing.

“Obviously, people have seen that we have regular Zoom sessions with yoga and the like, so everything has been good. It has been nice to see us.”

“It’s good to get back on the team. Obviously we can’t be at Melwood, but you can be together and that’s good.”

“It was good fun and it was good to have some sessions with the team.”

“Of course I can’t wait to come back. In the meantime, we just have to stay and stay safe, but in the long run I can’t wait.”