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“There’s confidence” – Caoimhin Kelleher says recent form is just “common sense”

Caoimhin Kelleher will return to the scene of two of his biggest days in football determined to add a third to his catalogue of success.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher will run out against England at Wembley on Sunday to rekindle memories of his two Carabao Cup final wins there with Liverpool.

In 2022, he scored the decisive spot-kick in an 11-10 penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea, who the Reds also beat in last season’s final.

This time around, it will be three Nations League B2 points at stake, and the 25-year-old is hoping he can do with his country what he has twice done with his club at the home of English football.

2HT8YJG London, UK. 27th Feb, 2022. Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool celebrates after winning the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27th 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Chesterton/phcimages.com) Credit: PHC Images/Alamy Live News

Asked if he had happy memories, Kelleher said: “Yeah, I’ve two cup wins there so hopefully another happy one on Sunday.”

However, he was quick to dismiss the impact of the injuries which severely depleted Lee Carsley’s squad ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Greece in Athens, and his warning was perhaps borne out by the result as England won 3-0 to ease their way to the top of the table.

Kelleher said: “We know what to expect. They’ll be quality. There’s a lot of players missing, but they’ve a lot of strength in depth and a lot of strength in depth in their squad as well.

“We need to recover because we’ve to go again in three days. But we’ll be ready for them.”

DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - Sunday, October 11, 2020: Republic of Ireland's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Nations League Group Stage League B Group 4 match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Both Ireland and their keeper will head for London on a high after Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Finland in Dublin, in which his 76th-minute penalty save from substitute Joel Pohjanpalo ensured that Evan Ferguson’s header was enough to secure the points.

However, they rode their luck at times – the Finns twice hit the post – and head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted that they would have to be better to get anything against England.

Kelleher said: “We know we can improve on things and it’s big opposition in England. Any England versus Ireland game is big and we’ll definitely be up for it.

“We’ll look at the game to see what we could have done better, what we need to improve on and get ready.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

READ: Liverpool’s top 10 Premier League goalkeepers – where does Kelleher rank?

Kelleher is currently the man in possession of the shirt with Liverpool and Ireland as Alisson Becker and Gavin Bazunu respectively work their way back from injury.

He said: “It’s looking good at the moment. That run of games is very important, keeping that rhythm is good. I’m happy to be getting a chance to show everyone the levels I can play at.

“It’s common sense. If I’m playing week in, week out, I’m going to be coming in more match-sharp and ready. There’s confidence from playing week in, week out.”