Jurgen Klopp is grateful Caoimhin Kelleher stayed at Liverpool last summer – with goalkeeper excelling in the absence of injured first-choice Reds stopper Alisson this season

Jurgen Klopp is grateful that goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher stayed at Liverpool last summer after discussions about his future.

Kelleher spoke to Klopp after becoming frustrated with his role as Alisson’s understudy, but Liverpool failed to receive a realistic offer and the manager was able to convince him he had a future at Anfield.

The gamble has paid off for the 25-year-old Irishman, who has been performing extremely well since Alisson suffered a serious hamstring injury.

Kelleher, who plays again at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, has won all five Premier League games he has played in this season and kept a clean sheet in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea last weekend.

Klopp confirmed that discussions with Kelleher have taken place. ‘It’s completely normal for players to be ready. Most importantly, we needed to help him take the next step in his development by playing more games.

The Irish goalkeeper has won all five Premier League games he has played in this season

‘He has played a lot of games in the Europa League, the League Cup and also quite a few games in the Premier League. You’d have to ask him that, but I think he would now be quite happy with the decision he made in the summer.

‘For a club like Liverpool, the gap between the first and second goalkeeper cannot be that big. There must be quality, because the football demands are too great for a ‘goalkeeper to play in all competitions for four years in a row.’

Forest were one of the teams looking at Kelleher, but Klopp replied: ‘I wasn’t part of the discussions so I don’t know, but it should be a good price.

‘It’s not like other goalkeepers move for £15m. It’s nonsense as I understand it.

‘There is no timetable on Ali’s return, but it is a real muscle injury. We certainly have to wait a few more weeks, but the season is not over yet.’

Liverpool’s injury crisis is starting to show some signs of easing after Klopp was without 13 players for the midweek FA Cup win against Southampton.

Nottingham Forest were one of the teams reportedly interested in purchasing Kelleher last summer

Klopp said Alisson would be out for a few weeks, but his injury did not spell the end of the season

Darwin Nunez (muscular) and Dominik Szoboszlai (thigh) are battling to return to The City Ground, while Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson have recovered from illness.

Mo Salah is hoping to resume training next week after his thigh injury, meaning he could play a role in the big match against Manchester City on March 10.

Klopp’s kids have been sensational in covering for the absentees, but the manager is looking forward to a bigger squad.

‘We all know there are a lot of matches on the schedule, final after final, so we better get some players back. And we’re getting some players back.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Ryan Gravenberch remain out for the Premier League leaders.