Jurgen Klopp's advice to Caoimhin Kelleher after Fulham criticism

Jurgen Klopp has defended Caoimhin Kelleher after the goalkeeper's performance against Fulham.

The 25-year-old who played his first Premier League game of the season on Sunday as a result of Alisson's injury, conceded three times at Anfield as Liverpool beat Marco Silva's side 4-3 in a thrilling contest.

Kelleher faced criticised from some quarters for failing to prevent Fulham's first two goals. However, Klopp lays no blame on the stand-in keeper, highlighting that he is following the philosophy set by Alisson and the goalkeeping coaching staff.

READ MORE: Do Liverpool need to be concerned about Caoimhin Kelleher?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Sheffield United, the manager said: "I really think he played a really good game [against Fulham].

"In possession he was good, especially with his feet, but then we conceded two goals [in the first half].

"One, the Harry Wilson goal, is an unlucky one as a goalie. If the ball goes through the legs, it goes through the legs and that happens. The second one, our goalie coaches and Ali [Alisson] especially explained to me: we are front-footed goalkeepers, they told me.

"I know that and in this moment Caoimhin steps into the situation. If Tete tries to control the ball, Caoimhin is there, but he doesn't. He takes the first touch and then the ball passes him a little bit."

Rather than dwell too much on possible mistakes, Klopp gave Kelleher the advice to 'keep going' – with the Ireland international set to continue his run in the team while Alisson remains out.

He added: "These kind of things happen, it has nothing to do with quality - it’s a philosophy thing. He could have saved that ball as well with exactly the same movement, just a little bit more luck. [So] just keep going, do the same things."

Elsewhere in his press conference, Klopp provided injury updates on injured trio Alisson, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip, who will all sit out Liverpool's trip to Bramall Lane.