Liverpool head to take on Preston North End on Wednesday night, but will have to do it without goalkeeper and former PNE target Caoimhin Kelleher.
Preston host the Reds in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup having seen off Mansfield Town, Morecambe and Cheltenham Town.
Liverpool are likely to rotate their side after Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United, but Kelleher won’t be involved.
Some will remember that North End were very keen on signing Kelleher during the 2019-20 season.
Preston targeted a loan deal for the Irishman, who emerged at Ringmahon Rangers – just like Alan Browne and Adam O’Reilly.
North End even spoke to Liverpool loan manager Julian Ward, but January 2020 came and went without Kelleher joining Preston.
The 22-year-old is now Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper, working behind Alisson.
Many would have expected Kelleher to feature in this cup tie, just as he did against Norwich City last month.
However, Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders has now confirmed that Kelleher won’t be involved due to an injury setback.
Kelleher trained with the Liverpool side but isn’t fit enough to play, meaning Adrian looks set to start.
Maybe Kelleher is just destined to never play at Preston after all!