LIVERPOOL CONFIDENTIAL: Caoimhin Kelleher attracts plenty of suitors after deputising for Alisson, Anfield falls silent 35 years on from Hillsborough and why UEFA will be relieved if Reds exit Europa League

Alisson returned to Liverpool‘s starting XI on Sunday after missing eight Premier League matches with a hamstring injury that threatened to derail his season – but the blessing in disguise was the form of No 2 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The Irishman was subject to strong interest from Nottingham Forest in the last days of the January transfer window but Liverpool turned down the relegation-threatened club’s approaches. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to re-explore signing Kelleher, though.

Santo, a former goalkeeper himself, is a huge fan of Kelleher, though his stellar performances over the last two months have done Liverpool’s bargaining position no harm this summer, with his price-tag only going in one direction.

Liverpool would likely not stand in Kelleher’s way if he did want to leave the club in search of a No 1 jersey elsewhere, though, with Forest just one of many clubs interested in securing his services. Celtic are very keen but would almost certainly be priced out of a move.

It means the Reds will likely be in the market for a No 2 goalkeeper this summer, with several on-loan youngsters not ready to step up to the position which has seen Kelleher play 26 times this season.

The Irishman makes a save during last week’s defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League

Jurgen Klopp has been pleased with Kelleher as he deputised for the injured Alisson Becker

They have retained an interest in Sunderland shot-stopper Anthony Patterson, according to sources, which was first revealed by Liverpool Confidential in January. 

The 23-year-old has also represented England at youth level and has been a mainstay for the Black Cats this term.

It is also understood that several Premier League clubs have been scouting Wigan’s young keeper Sam Tickle, who has impressed for Shaun Maloney’s League One side this season and earned himself an England Under 21 call-up.

Liverpool’s third-choice keeper Adrian, now 37, is a well-liked and influential talker in the but the Spaniard is out of contract in the summer and it seems unlikely he will be offered a new deal, meaning the Reds could target an experienced deputy if Kelleher was to leave.

Merseyside falls silent to mark 35 years since Hillsborough 

ALL staff at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre fell silent at 3.06pm on Monday afternoon to mark 35 years exactly since the 1989 FA Cup match at Hillsborough was stopped, with 97 biodegradable balloons released at Anfield.

It is to pay respects to the 97 Liverpool supporters who were unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster. Many figures from across the club also laid wreaths at the memorial site at Anfield on Monday morning.

Club CEO Billy Hogan was joined by legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, along with Jurgen Klopp and women’s first-team boss Matt Beard. There were also members of the Reds’ Under 21s and 18s teams, plus ambassadors Ian Rush, John Barnes and Natasha Dowie.

Flags are being flown at half mast around the city and Merseyside rivals Everton also prepared a touching tribute banner, reading ’35 years – brothers in arms’ which was intended to be presented at their last home game. It was sadly stopped due to safety reasons.

Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp lay a wreath at the Anfield Hillsborough Memorial on Monday

97 balloons were released from the centre spot at Anfield to remember the victims 

Ex-Red Keita in row after Leverkusen snub 

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has hit back at claims he refused to play for Werder Bremen at German champions Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, with the Guinean saying he won’t accept people ‘trying to tarnish my image’.

Keita, who played 129 times for the Reds across five rather underwhelming and injury-hit seasons, was accused by Werder Bremen’s managing director Clemens Fritz of choosing not to travel to Leverkusen upon learning he would not be in the Starting XI.

‘After Naby found out yesterday that he would not be playing from the start, he decided not to get on the bus but to go home,’ said Fritz. ‘We will talk to him and his agent tomorrow about the consequences and how to proceed.’

But Keita quickly responded with his own statement on Instagram, saying: ‘I wish to clarify my situation at my club Werder Bremen. Ever since I arrived at this magnificent club, I have always shown my professionalism.

Naby Keita has reacted angrily after his professionalism was questioned by accusations he refused to travel with Werder Bremen to play Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday

Reports suggested Keita refused to travel after learning he wouldn’t be in the starting line-up

‘I have always tried to help the club and the great supporters, especially during this time of poor results. Since the start of my career I have never had problems with my discipline and have always shown an exemplary attitude. I will not accept any person trying to tarnish my image.’

His team lost 5-0 to Leverkusen in the match that eventually crowned Xabi Alonso’s all-conquering side as Bundesliga champions. 

The former Reds midfielder was hotly tipped by fans to replace Jurgen Klopp but distanced himself from the job last month.

Walsh happiest man inside Anfield 

There is always a fascinating crossover between horse racing and football on Merseyside during Grand National week and spotted at Anfield for the 3-0 home defeat against Atalanta was legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh, up for the Aintree meeting.

Walsh – the only rider to win all four of the home Grand Nationals including the English version on Papillon – probably wasn’t as upset by Liverpool’s Europa League humbling as everyone else in the stadium.

The 44-year-old is a self-confessed Manchester United fan and good friends with Sir Alex Ferguson through their mutual love of both their sports.

Ruby Walsh (left), part of ITV Racing’s team at Aintree, popped in to watch Liverpool play

‘Jota the Slotter’ surely a shoo-in 

Given managers like to pick players against former clubs or teams they’ve done well against in the past, it looks nailed on Diogo Jota will start his first Liverpool match since February 17 for this week’s Europa League second leg against Atalanta in Italy.

Jota has made two substitute appearances since recovering from a knee injury sustained at Brentford but more significantly scored a hat-trick against Atalanta when Liverpool won 5-0 there in a Champions League group game.

With Jurgen Klopp’s men needing at least three to reach the semi-final after their first-leg collapse at Anfield, ‘Jota the Slotter’ is surely a shoo-in to be in the Liverpool XI.

UEFA relief over Dublin 

Sights of relief could almost be heard from Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday as Liverpool fell three goals behind against Atalanta to leave their hopes of reaching the Europa League final hanging by a very thin thread.

Those in UEFA’s Swiss HQ have been sweating over the possibility of an English club reaching the final in Dublin on May 22 as the Irish capital would likely descend into chaos with just 12,000 tickets available to fans of each club.

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is set to host this season’s Europa League final on May 22

UEFA had been drawing up contingency plans such as opening the Gaelic football stadium at Croke Park as a fan zone, plus talks had taken place all season over whether Dublin was a suitable host city and if a Plan B needed to be considered.

Some sources had even suggested UEFA had a back-up plan of moving the final to another, larger stadium on the continent to reduce the risk of fan trouble if masses of ticketless English supporters flocked to Dublin.

Liverpool will fly to Bergamo on Wednesday afternoon knowing they need to overturn a 3-0 deficit against the impressive Italians. 

It is not beyond them, knowing some of the comebacks the Reds have made under Jurgen Klopp, but this might be a step too far.

Hull loan success for duo 

Finishing in the play-offs looks slightly out of reach for Hull City in the Championship but Liverpool’s two loanees, Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho, have certainly done enough to prove they could still make it at Anfield.

Both have excelled for Liam Rosenior’s team this season, with Carvalho scoring seven goals in his last 10 games for the Tigers. And both will likely be given a chance to impress the new manager in Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Fabio Carvalho celebrates scoring for Hull City in Saturday’s win over Queens Park Rangers

It is believed no firm decision on either has been made at this stage, with the new manager likely to want to assess all of his options before deciding who is part of his plans or who he wants to send out on loan.

Another who has impressed on loan in the last few months is Wigan defender Luke Chambers, though his season has likely ended prematurely due to injury. The 19-year-old has played at left back and left centre back during his stint at the Latics.

Gordon shines in resounding win over United 

Kaide Gordon has been described as a ‘real match winner’ by Under 21s boss Barry Lewtas after the 19-year-old starred in Liverpool’s convincing 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday night.

Gordon has had a nightmare couple of years with injury after breaking through into the first team in 2022 and becoming the Reds’ youngest-ever FA Cup goal scorer. 

The forward had adolescent musculoskeletal issues – in effect growing pains – that set him back somewhat.

But Lewtas believes after showing glimpses in recent matches, Gordon is back to his best and this performance was an example of the teenager pulling it all together again. ‘He promised me a hat-trick but I’ll take the one goal! His performances have been really good,’ said the boss.

Kaide Gordon (right) in Europa League action for Liverpool’s first team earlier in the season

‘We do our bit, they do their bit (the first team), the proof is in the pudding and both clubs get players in the first team. To be fair, Kaide has been a real goal threat for us. This was it all (coming) together.

‘His work rate was phenomenal, when we fixed a few things at half time he took it on board. His ability to carry the ball, good passes, good finishes, good decisions. It was his best performance for us by far, a real match winner.’

Gordon was joined on the scoresheet by Trent Kone-Doherty and Jayden Danns, with an outrageous back-heeled finish. There was also game-time for young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, the Spaniard who has had similar problems to Gordon.

Defender Rhys Williams, who was a capable deputy in the 2021-22 season amid a defensive injury crisis, is also finding confidence in both his football and body again. The Welshman, now 23, has had frustrating loan spells at Aberdeen and Port Vale this season.

Jayden Dannswas another on the scoresheet during Liverpool’s resounding win at Old Trafford

‘I’ve known Rhys for a long time, he’s had his injury issues and sometimes you can be a bit of a forgotten man,’ added Lewtas. ‘The character he’s shown, how he’s supported the group, epitomises the type of kid he is. He’s been brilliant.

‘We’re unbelievably fortunate that we have a manager and staff at Liverpool that believes in the academy. Good work goes on at every academy, I know that. But you need a manager who trusts them, and trusts them in unbelievable moments. It’s a huge motivator for the club.’

Dowling nears incredible marathon feat 

Everton physical coach Jack Dowling is nearing the end of his mammoth challenge to complete 26 marathons in 26 weeks in honour of his late brother Tom, a Liverpool fan who sadly passed away last month after a battle with cancer.

Dowling will complete his 26th 26-miler at the London Marathon on Sunday and has raised more than £50,000 for his charity of choice, Macmillan. You can donate at this link https://justgiving.com/fundraising/JackProject2626.

Free bus to Bristol 

Supporters wishing to head to Ashton Gate for this weekend’s Women’s Super League clash at Bristol City can obtain a free journey to the south-west. 

Expedia is putting on free coaches for Liverpool fans, with a match ticket, to get to Bristol on Sunday.