Liverpool legend lauds unlikely hero for Brighton 'turning point' before Anfield comeback

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has hailed Caoimhin Kelleher after providing what he felt was the ‘turning point’ in the Reds’ win over Brighton.

Arne Slot’s side had to come from behind at Anfield before recording a 2-1 win that sent them back to the top of the Premier League. Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah ensured Liverpool made the most of slip-ups from Manchester City and Arsenal to go two points clear at the summit.

It had looked for much of the afternoon as though the Reds might let the opportunity pass them by, having fallen behind to Ferdi Kadioglu’s first-half strike. Things could have been much worse as well had it not been for Kelleher’s intervention.

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The goalkeeper, currently deputizing for the injured Alisson Becker, was called into action after Georginio Rutter managed to break clear of the Liverpool defense, with Virgil van Dijk struggling to catch up.

Kelleher though stood up to the French forward, making a solid block to prevent the visitors from going 2-0 up. It proved to be a vital save, with Nicol giving a special mention to the Irishman for his part in the Reds’ victory.

“If there was one moment in the game that I would suggest was the complete turning point, or turning point’s maybe the wrong word but I think really matters the most, is the save Kelleher made,” Nicol told ESPN FC.

“I think the save Kelleher made just before half-time that would have put Brighton 2-0 up, that might have suppressed what we saw in the second half from Liverpool. So, I think that’s an important point in the game.”

Kelleher will continue to get his chance to impress for Liverpool, with Alisson not expected back until at least late November after picking up his hamstring injury at Crystal Palace. The Irishman is yet to play in a defeat for the Reds this season, with the 2-2 draw the only time Liverpool has dropped points with him in goal so far.

Liverpool.com says: It’s a save that Kelleher would have expected to make, but that shouldn’t take away from the significance it had on the result. He had to be alert and did the right thing to put Rutter under pressure and force him into a quick strike.

Kelleher continues to really impress whenever he’s given the opportunity. Obviously, he has his eyes set on becoming a No.1, and will likely get a move away next summer when Giorgi Mamardashvili arrives at Anfield, but you can’t fault his professionalism whenever he’s been given the chance.