Caoimhin Kelleher experienced an ultimately disappointing evening with the Republic of Ireland as Liverpool wait on Alexis Mac Allister fitness news
Caoimhin Kelleher experienced a difficult preparation for his expected stint in goal for Liverpool when the Republic of Ireland slipped to defeat in Greece on Sunday. Kelleher was at fault for the home team’s second goal in injury time when, having ventured outside his penalty area, he passed the ball straight to the feet of Petros Mantolos who scored to secure Greece a 2-0 UEFA Nations League win.
The Reds goalkeeper, who had made a number of saves during the first half, is likely to be between the sticks for Arne Slot’s side for the next month as Alisson Becker recovers from a hamstring tear.
Having missed Greece’s 2-1 win over England at Wembley last Thursday, Liverpool team-mate Kostas Tsimikas came off the bench for the final eight minutes as his country maintained their three-point lead at the top of the group.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold helped ensure England bounced back from that setback despite playing against Finland at left-back – the first time he had started a game in the position in his senior career.
Alexander-Arnold had a part in Jack Grealish’s opener and then curled home a superb free-kick for the second goal as the Three Lions eased to a 3-1 victory in Helsinki.
All three players have now concluded their international commitments during the break and will join Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones in being among the first returnees to the AXA Training Centre later this week as Liverpool begin their preparations for Sunday’s Premier League visit of in-form Chelsea.
Slot’s main concern among his remaining international contingent is Alexis Mac Allister, who left for Argentina duty last week having been replaced at half-time during the Premier League win at Crystal Palace having complained of muscle discomfort.
Mac Allister wasn’t risked during last week’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw on a heavy pitch in Venezuela, but has subsequently been training normally with the squad.
The Liverpool midfielder is expected to feature at some stage at home to Bolivia in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time, although Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has yet to determine whether the player is fit enough to start.
