DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - Saturday, August 4, 2018: Liverpool's new signing goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the pre-match warm-up before the preseason friendly match between SSC Napoli and Liverpool FC at Landsdowne Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The way “top-class” Alisson has already made his mark on the Liverpool squad

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has explained how incoming first choice Alisson has already made an impact on his development as a young player.

The Brazilian is set to take over as Jurgen Klopp‘s new leading stopper, with both Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet touted with moves away from Merseyside.

If the pair do depart and no replacement is signed before August 9, it would leave the Reds with academy talents Kelleher and Kamil Grabara as Alisson‘s deputies.

This would be a bold decision from Klopp, but the manager has been impressed with their efforts in pre-season so far—including in Saturday’s 4-1 friendly win over Man United.

Kelleher and Grabara played 45 minutes each in Ann Arbor, but with Alisson due to make his debut in the upcoming clash with Napoli in Dublin, their opportunities could now be limited.

But speaking to LiverpoolFC.com during the Reds’ training camp in Evian, Kelleher has explained how the 25-year-old had already made his mark in his first week.

“I’ve learned a lot from him already. He’s a top-class goalkeeper and a really nice guy as well which helps,” the Irishman explained.

“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him really.

“He’s a really good shot-stopper and he’s really quick, so I’m learning little things off that. He’s Brazilian as well, so he’s got a few skills!”

ANN ARBOR, USA - Friday, July 27, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during a training session ahead of the preseason International Champions Cup match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at the Michigan Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Kelleher featured against both United and Man City in the United States, and said it was a “crazy” experience, having stepped up to the first-team squad this summer:

“I wasn’t expecting to play really, but to get the opportunity was just unbelievable.

“It was amazing, seeing all the crowd and stuff. I really enjoyed it.

“I trained with them last year but to actually play this year has been crazy. It’s been unreal.

“I’ve been happy, I think I’ve done well. Every day we train hard with the ‘keepers, we all push each other to do our best every day.

“And I think that’s all you can do really, do your best, so I’ve been happy.”

The 19-year-old is willing to wait for his chance on the competitive stage, instead outlining his targets for 2018/19 as “to try to get regular game time with the U23s and keep training up at Melwood every day and improving.”

But as he continues to work alongside Alisson in training, he will hope to hone his game further and eventually challenge the senior stopper for his place in the side.

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