Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher left the club last summer and will face the Reds at Anfield in May in what could be Mohamed Salah’s final game for the club
Caoimhin Kelleher is looking to spoil Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool farewell(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher said he anticipates having to say sorry to Mohamed Salah after preventing his former colleague from scoring a farewell goal next month.
Kelleher makes his return to Anfield on the closing day of the Premier League campaign to take on the Reds as a Brentford player. The 27-year-old concluded a decade-long association with Liverpool last summer, joining the Bees.
Kelleher’s departure occurred despite Arne Slot’s unwillingness to part with the league’s finest backup goalkeeper, who had been determined to secure regular starting opportunities elsewhere. The fixture at Anfield will carry additional significance as it marks Salah’s final appearance for Liverpool, following the March announcement of his departure at the conclusion of this campaign.
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Notwithstanding his immense admiration for his ex-teammate, Kelleher has stated he intends to dampen celebrations for the Egypt international by thwarting him from finding the net when they clash in May.
Kelleher, who has recorded nine league shutouts this term, informed The Athletic: “Hopefully I’m apologizing to him after.
“It’s an important game for both of us. But yeah, it’ll be nice to go back now and see old faces. And playing in the stadium again will be special.
Salah was forced off during the second half of Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace(Image: Getty Images)
“Liverpool is a special place for me. I lived in the city for five years and loved it there. I just miss the people at the club.
“I have a lot of good friends there. I miss them, and I miss the city and the Scousers. I think they are similar to the Irish. They’re quite funny. I do miss them.”
Kelleher also credited Salah, alongside several other top-class forwards who have lined out for Liverpool throughout his spell there, for honing his abilities during training sessions over the years.
He explained: “If you’re making saves off them, that gives you confidence. They were the best in the league. Just to see how they finished and the pace they finish at… You have to get used to it.”
Salah found the net against the Irishman in the closing stages of October’s reverse fixture, though Liverpool still suffered a 3-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Reds will be hoping for an improved performance this time to provide their club icon with a proper farewell while aiming to secure a Champions League qualification place.
Nevertheless, Salah may struggle to feature in the match owing to the hamstring problem he sustained during the weekend’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
The 33-year-old could potentially face several weeks out of action, and his availability for the May 24 visit of Brentford remains unclear.
