Sources: Liverpool ace in battle to play again this season after shattering blow

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Published on:

09 Mar 2020, 4:30 am

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is facing a battle to play again this season after suffering knee ligament damage, Football Insider understands.

The 21-year-old has broken into the senior side this term and made four first-team appearances.

A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that Kelleher's failure to make the matchday squad in the last two matches is due to a serious knee injury.

He is not believed to have torn a ligament but has suffered enough damage to leave his participation in the remainder of the club's campaign in some doubt.

Kelleher is the third-choice keeper in Jurgen Klopp's squad behind number one Alisson and his deputy Adrian.

The young Irishman would have expected to have been on the bench for each of the last two matches, Saturday's win against Bournemouth and last Wednesday's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.

But his injury instead meant a call-up to the squad for the first time this season for Andy Lonergan, the 36-year-old signed on a one-year deal last summer after Alisson broke down with a calf injury in the season opener.

Alisson's latest injury to his hip has opened the door for Lonergan, who is now set to be in matchday 18 for Wednesday's Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid.

Missing out is a shattering blow for Kelleher, who is highly rated by Liverpool's coaching staff and tipped for big things.

Klopp has already demonstrated great faith in him this season by starting him in four domestic cup games.

The youngster was in the starting XI three times in the League Cup and once in the FA Cup.

In other Liverpool news, it can be REVEALED that the club are to hand a huge pay rise to attacker as three-year deal is close.

Liverpool FC