'Important': Caoimhin Kelleher says what Arne Slot has been 'big on' at Liverpool after win vs Chelsea
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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher produced another important display to help the Reds beat Chelsea 2-1.
Kelleher has been backed to succeed in the absence of Alisson, with the Liverpool number one currently out injured.
Liverpool will be grateful to have kept Kelleher given the current situation at Anfield, with the Republic of Ireland star really impressing under Arne Slot.
Slot has also impressed during his spell on Merseyside, with the Dutchman's latest win a hard-fought battle against an improving Chelsea side.
The Reds manager was always going to find it difficult to replace Jurgen Klopp, but Slot has done a superb job thus far.
Caoimhin Kelleher says what Arne Slot has been 'big on' at Liverpool
He has quickly stamped his own authority on the club, with Liverpool looking strong all over the pitch at this moment in time.
And their fill-in goalkeeper Kelleher has now shared exactly what Slot has been emphasising at Anfield, having been asked about getting the win over the line and fighting for each other until the very end.
"The manager has been big on that," Kelleher told the Liverpool website. "We can play nice football and obviously that’s important.
"But when you come into these games against Chelsea where the quality is so high and it’s going to be a tight game, you need to dig in and you need to make blocks, you need to challenge, you need to defend well.
"Because, at the end of the day, the defending wins the games, which you saw. That was pleasing to see."
Liverpool in stunning defensive form under Arne Slot
Kelleher has one clean sheet from his three Liverpool appearances this season, with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson having got the better of him on Sunday.
But the Reds have been outstanding at the back under Slot, conceding just three goals in the current Premier League campaign.
It is perhaps unsurprisingly the best defensive record in the current season, with Nottingham Forest their nearest rivals in this regard with six goals conceded.
READ MORE:The latest results for Liverpool in the 2024/25 season
Fellow title challengers Arsenal and Man City meanwhile have tallies of eight and nine respectively, with Liverpool certain to be fighting for the title late on if things continue this way.
It will, however, get more difficult as the season progresses, particularly now with Champions League and League Cup football returning.
Kelleher will continue to be a key player for Slot in the coming weeks as Alisson remains injured, with the Ireland star more than capable of stepping up in the Brazilian's absence.
