Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

[Stuttgart88]

Just on the point of Bazunu having never done anything beyond L1, he’s actually done pretty well in international football.

[Colbert Report]

Burnley look to be selling James Trafford to Newcastle. Could be a perfect spot for a loan move as nobody is paying thirty million for Kelleher.

[JR89]

Burnley look to be selling James Trafford to Newcastle. Could be a perfect spot for a loan move as nobody is paying thirty million for Kelleher.

Travers has been linked to Burnley if they sell Trafford.

[liamoo11]

Burnley look to be selling James Trafford to Newcastle. Could be a perfect spot for a loan move as nobody is paying thirty million for Kelleher.

Trafford was a bomb scare last season he made Bazunu s season at Southampton the year before look stellar

[Jolly Red Giant]

There is some nonsense being spouted over the last few pages.

Bazunu is an incredibly talented goalkeeper with massive potential - he is only 21 and goalkeepers don't come into their prime until their late 20s. Now - his injury is a major problem - it is a very serious injury for a goalkeeper and he sustained the worst of that type of injury. It has the potential to impact on how he develops and what he achieves in the future - that is the unfortunate part of football - an injury can completely derail a career. I am not saying that this will happen to Bazunu - but it is now a possibility.

Kelleher is also a very talented goalkeeper - despite his lack of playing time he has shown that he can step in and compete at an exceptionally high level. That is why Liverpool want £0m for him. The difference with Bazunu is that Kelleher is 25 and is much closer to reaching his ceiling. The reality is that he has played too well for his own good because it has inflated his value out of reach of most teams.

In relation to Ireland - and I made this point before - apart from Shay Given - Bazunu, Kelleher or Travers (and possibly even O'Leary) would have walked into any Irish team over the past 100 years. We are spoilt for choice - we do not have a goalkeeping problem - all the issues with the Irish team are outside the penalty area.

[Snapshot]

In relation to Ireland - and I made this point before - apart from Shay Given - Bazunu, Kelleher or Travers (and possibly even O'Leary) would have walked into any Irish team over the past 100 years. We are spoilt for choice - we do not have a goalkeeping problem - all the issues with the Irish team are outside the penalty area.
Interesting call. I’d agree with your Given selection. For runner-up, I believe Randolph flies below the radar. He may have been iffy with the ball at his feet, but the period covering his 40-plus caps was never a worry. I cannot remember him ever letting Ireland down. I have a few other comments about keepers past and present - I’ll PM you soon (if that’s ok).

[brine3]

Interesting call. I’d agree with your Given selection. For runner-up, I believe Randolph flies below the radar. He may have been iffy with the ball at his feet, but the period covering his 40-plus caps was never a worry. I cannot remember him ever letting Ireland down. I have a few other comments about keepers past and present - I’ll PM you soon (if that’s ok).

Randolph was quality.

And David Forde never put a foot wrong either for Ireland. Disgrace that he was left out of the Euro 2016 squad.

We persisted with Shay Given way too long. He was a great keeper for Ireland for over a decade but we should have moved on when it was time.

[Stuttgart88]

I actually don't really recall being weak at goalkeeper in my lifetime and at times I think we were really strong. Mick Kearns was GK when I first started watching and despite being at Walsall did just fine. McDonagh was superb. Can't remember Paddy Roche much.

The weakest ones were late career Bonner and post-comeback Given. The less heralded guys like Peyton and Forde did just fine. Forde actually exceeded my expectations.

Guys like Keith Branagan can consider themselves very unlucky.

[Eirambler]

Late interest in Kelleher from Forest apparently.

[Eirambler]

https://x.com/_pauljoyce/status/1829207892022702511?t=20yuJxdq3DULQpy8rAgthw&s=19

Time for Kelleher to stop being Liverpool's loyal back up and start stamping his feet to get out of there when there's interest.

[pineapple stu]

Hopefully they're just trying to wangle an extra couple of mill out of it - bit like Norwich rejecting Celtic's bid for Idah. They came to when it mattered.

[elatedscum]

Isn’t this exactly what happened 12 months ago? Forest bid £12m for Kelleher on deadline day. Not sure I’d go to Forest anyway - bit of a mess as a team, might do him more harm than good

[Eirambler]

Sounds like there may be a bit more to run tomorrow in terms of this story. If it happens it will leave Liverpool having to find a back up keeper from somewhere at short notice, but Kelleher has served his time, they need to let him go now.

[pineapple stu]

An improved offer from Forest expected before the window closes tonight - Indo (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41466253.html).

[Predator]

No permanent deal done, but could he still go on loan somewhere? Championship perhaps?

[Olé Olé]

Don't want to be too negative here and it's easy to be negative but from the outside, as an Ireland supporter, having seen what he did last season and knowing they signed the Georgian for next year, this all seems like an absolute disaster by Kelleher. Like, a real disaster.

Why will Liverpool even want or need to split cup games with him? Protect his value? Maybe. But if they get to the quarter finals of the cup comps he is quickly benched.

His only hope is Alison injuries. Which is sad in itself.

[JR89]

No permanent deal done, but could he still go on loan somewhere? Championship perhaps?

Why would they loan him out? They're not moving him because they want him to remain second choice this season. I'd say if Forest had even offered £25M yesterday they would have kept him given how late it was to get a replacement second choice for this season.

[Eirambler]

Loan window is closed anyway, except to the likes of Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

After a fair bit of goalkeeper movement over the last few days it's disappointing that both Kelleher and Travers will remain as EPL number 2s, while the injured Bazunu looks to have been relegated to number 2 at his club also on his return.

Generally it's been a really good window for our outfield players, but definitely not for our goalkeepers.

[John83]

Yeah, it's not a good situation. I've generally not been too concerned about Kelleher's situation, but it's annoying that none of the top 3 are playing now. They're all good keepers and Darron Randoph and Alan Kelly (if I remember right) have done well for us in the past while not playing for their clubs, if we're looking for positives. They're all not playing for Premiership clubs too, and we've had to dip into League 1 for players in other positions in the recent enough past.

[Eirambler]

The one big positive for me last night was just how well Kelleher did everything he did. The newspaper ratings for him this morning don't do him justice, that was an 8 or a 9 out of 10 display. Totally composed throughout with some great saves as well, which might have been seen as his weaker point. That he can come in from the relative cold (OK he played a few pre-season games) is very encouraging after the concern about how the transfer window went for our keepers.

He's absolutely nailed on as number 1 now for the foreseeable future, which will hopefully give a bit more space for Bazunu to fully recover and then develop over the next couple of years with less pressure on the international front. Bazunu has done really well overall for us, I still really rate him relative to his age, but he probably got a little bit too much exposure too young and Kelleher nailing down the jersey might actually help him in the long run.

[liamoo11]

The one big positive for me last night was just how well Kelleher did everything he did. The newspaper ratings for him this morning don't do him justice, that was an 8 or a 9 out of 10 display. Totally composed throughout with some great saves as well, which might have been seen as his weaker point. That he can come in from the relative cold (OK he played a few pre-season games) is very encouraging after the concern about how the transfer window went for our keepers.

He's absolutely nailed on as number 1 now for the foreseeable future, which will hopefully give a bit more space for Bazunu to fully recover and then develop over the next couple of years with less pressure on the international front. Bazunu has done really well overall for us, I still really rate him relative to his age, but he probably got a little bit too much exposure too young and Kelleher nailing down the jersey might actually help him in the long run.

Yeah what did he need to do to get an 8 or a 9? Iif only we have 3 or 4 more players at top clubs like Liverpool who only play 10 or 15 games a season instead of multiples of players playing 50 plus games in lower Premier league clubs or championship clubs , we would be much better for it. Yet so many would still rather kelleher was playing for blackburn rovers every week

[pineapple stu]

Well clear as our best player on the whoscored ratings (https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1803671/LiveStatistics/International-UEFA-Nations-League-B-2024-2025-Ireland-England) FWIW - 7.7, compared to Sammie on 6.7 and Ogbene/Browne on 6.3. Seems more reasonable. Certainly about the only positive to take from yesterday.

[JR89]

Yeah what did he need to do to get an 8 or a 9? Iif only we have 3 or 4 more players at top clubs like Liverpool who only play 10 or 15 games a season instead of multiples of players playing 50 plus games in lower Premier league clubs or championship clubs , we would be much better for it. Yet so many would still rather kelleher was playing for blackburn rovers every week

It's why I liked the Ferguson to City links. Fair enough his game time would halve but the development of working alongside the best of the best would be good too.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0909/1469107-kelleher-leaving-of-liverpool-out-of-my-hands/

Quite clear. The video is worth watching too. He is very clearly ****ed off.

Problem now is that they might fancy giving minutes to Vitezslav Jaros over Kelleher for certain games against weaker opposition where Alisson is injured or rested...

[joey B]

Really unfortunate for him the way it worked out,under the last regime it’s clear he expected to be given the chance to be number one but the events of the last 9 months at Liverpool have changed everything,real shame he didn’t get a move this summer but Liverpools valuation and asking price did him no favour in getting the move…..

[JR89]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0909/1469107-kelleher-leaving-of-liverpool-out-of-my-hands/

Quite clear. The video is worth watching too. He is very clearly ****ed off.

Problem now is that they might fancy giving minutes to Vitezslav Jaros over Kelleher for certain games against weaker opposition where Alisson is injured or rested...

I said this before the season started but more I could see them giving Jaros the games in the EFL cup and FA cup that you'd normally except Kelleher to start. With his role being filling in for games that Ali misses.

I'm certain in one season. Possibly one of the COVID seasons that Kelleher was third choice but got domestic cup games. Ali missed a chunk of the season but Adrian played when he was out.

Could see them doing similar again but then you gotta give Kelleher minutes to keep his value up.

[Olé Olé]

I said this before the season started but more I could see them giving Jaros the games in the EFL cup and FA cup that you'd normally except Kelleher to start. With his role being filling in for games that Ali misses.

I'm certain in one season. Possibly one of the COVID seasons that Kelleher was third choice but got domestic cup games. Ali missed a chunk of the season but Adrian played when he was out.

Could see them doing similar again but then you gotta give Kelleher minutes to keep his value up.

Yep, huge risk of this now.

Either way, it is very unlikely that he gets a run like he got last season. And he did very well in that run. So Kelleher is probably going to be on a lesser footing for a move in January next summer than he was this summer.

His contract expires in two seasons' time. There is also a risk that Liverpool that unless a truly compelling bid comes in next summer that Mamardashvilli goes out on loan next season as Alisson retains the number one spot. Kelleher's would need to hope that Jaros has established himself as a number 2 at that point.

What a crappy situation for him. I'm sure he's getting well paid to be in it and he did sign a contract willingly but Liverpool are giving him a right screwing.

[Olé Olé]

I see his agent is our man Johnathan Barnett's firm. I remember there was an anecdote about Barnett trying to get a client of his, Gareth Bale, to play for England and it was referenced at the time of a client of his, Jackie Grealish, defecting to England. Probably was irrelevant but was helpful at the time!

[Jolly Red Giant]

Yep, huge risk of this now.

Either way, it is very unlikely that he gets a run like he got last season. And he did very well in that run. So Kelleher is probably going to be on a lesser footing for a move in January next summer than he was this summer.

His contract expires in two seasons' time. There is also a risk that Liverpool that unless a truly compelling bid comes in next summer that Mamardashvilli goes out on loan next season as Alisson retains the number one spot. Kelleher's would need to hope that Jaros has established himself as a number 2 at that point.

What a crappy situation for him. I'm sure he's getting well paid to be in it and he did sign a contract willingly but Liverpool are giving him a right screwing.
There are a lot of rumours that Alisson is heading to the Saudi pro-league next season. Mamardashvilli was sent out on loan with the view to getting him more playing time than he would at Liverpool with the intention of replacing Alisson next season. Kelleher has to get out of there - but unfortunately he doesn't have any leverage because his contact has two years to run.

[JR89]

Could be in line to start this weekend. Alisson has a muscle issue which was made worse after the Milan game and missed training on Thursday.

[John83]

Hopefully he'll start and have a great game. He needs to keep showing clubs he's worth a bid in January or next summer.

He's definitely second choice at the moment? I haven't seen any of their squad lists this season and there was speculation in the summer here that the new guy could be favoured.

[Eirambler]

Definitely second choice, the Georgian keeper is out on loan for the season. The suggestion I think was that they might give the third choice keeper (Jaros - ex St Pat's) some cup games instead of Kelleher as they may want to develop him as a future second choice after Kelleher goes. But there's no way they'd start him over Kelleher in a league game.

Jaros, despite being a far inferior keeper, has played considerably more football at a younger age than Kelleher as he has been out on numerous loans while Caoimhin has been successfully nailing down the bench spot at Anfield in recent years.

[Stuttgart88]

Quality over quantity I suppose. I think Kelleher has proven he can cut it at very high level despite not having 100 career games under his belt. Jaros hasn't proven anything yet.

Somewhat related, I was watching Arsenal at Atalanta last night. An absolute snoozefest except for a great double save by Raya, a bit like the rebound save he made against Ollie Watkins a couple of weeks ago. Commentary team said 10 years ago to the day he was playing for non-league Southport vs Macclesfield. Now he's playing at rarified elite level. It seems like his Spanish club had an arrangement with Blackburn who he signed for and was then sent out on loan.

[JR89]

Definitely second choice, the Georgian keeper is out on loan for the season. The suggestion I think was that they might give the third choice keeper (Jaros - ex St Pat's) some cup games instead of Kelleher as they may want to develop him as a future second choice after Kelleher goes. But there's no way they'd start him over Kelleher in a league game.

Jaros, despite being a far inferior keeper, has played considerably more football at a younger age than Kelleher as he has been out on numerous loans while Caoimhin has been successfully nailing down the bench spot at Anfield in recent years.

Yeah they did something similar during one of the COVID seasons. Kelleher was third choice but played some cup games while Adrian played whenever Alisson was unavailable for games he'd normally start.

[rebelmusic]

Started today and had the game of his life by all accounts. Seven saves altogether with Bournemouth having 6 on target. He's proven time and again that he maintains form even after a spell on the bench.

Would be great if Alisson is out for a couple of more games although apparently it's a minor injury

[Eirambler]

Good reports today. The reasonably decent run of games he has had for club and country this year (22 since the beginning of January I think) seems to have really brought him on.

[elatedscum]

Seven saves altogether with Bournemouth having 6 on target

I had the count at 8. The six shots on target plus the one he clawed off the line that Trent knocked his way and the freekick that hit the wall and spun towards him

[liamoo11]

Very unlikely he gets to leave this season and yesterday shows why , a game that liverpool were very poor in gave up chances and needed a reliable keeper. Kelleher may decide next summer to not leave going into his final season under contract with the chance of a huge signing on fee coming his way when he goes on a free in summer 26

[seanfhear]

Perhaps the Republic of Ireland needs to play more games ? !

[elatedscum]

Arne Slot quotes on CK:

"Yeah, but not only two goalkeepers, also two good wingers, left wingers, two good right wingers, two good strikers," said the Dutchman.

"That's what you saw today. I just said about Cody [Gakpo], how good he was in San Siro, how good Lucho [Diaz] was now – and it's the same with the goalkeepers.

"We needed our goalkeeper today more than in all the other matches we played before because, like I just said, Bournemouth got more chances than I am used to seeing the other teams getting against us in the first six games of the season.

"But it was a good thing that we had Caoimhín today because he made some really good saves – which Alisson did in the other games as well, but he didn't have to make that many as Caoimhín made today.”

[elatedscum]

Won’t or can’t last for much longer but Liverpool on pace to concede 7 goals this season

[Bungle]

I lived in Liverpool for years and was visiting old friends last weekend.

All my Liverpool supporting mates said they would be gutted to lose him and two of them reckoned the Georgian was an investment because he looks very good, but best case scenario could be a number one there in time. They all feel Caoimhin is very good with the potential to be top class and should be next in line after Becker. Most felt a buy back is what they want for Kelleher.

My Everton mates all reckoned he is far superior to Pickford. I agree as well.

[elatedscum]

Kelleher confirmed as starting tomorrow night

[elatedscum]

Good game from Kelleher. Made about 4 good saves. The goal he conceded was an OG that he couldn’t do anything about.

Will find out on Friday if he’s starting against Wolves.

[Olé Olé]

Not on bench for Liverpool today. Injury concern for Thursday or excluded?

[Eirambler]

Not on bench for Liverpool today. Injury concern for Thursday or excluded?

He was sick. In keeping with his luck at Liverpool Alisson went off injured so he missed out on a Premier League appearance.

[tetsujin1979]

He was sick. In keeping with his luck at Liverpool Alisson went off injured so he missed out on a Premier League appearance.
Possible hamstring injury according to this, so Kelleher might get a run in the team after the international break
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/13228425/alisson-injury-arne-slot-confirms-liverpool-goalkeeper-will-miss-a-few-weeks-with-suspected-hamstring-problem

[Acornvilla]

Alisson seems to miss an unusually high number of games for a top level #1, which is no harm for us :D

[elatedscum]

Alisson confirmed as a minimum 6 week absence. Means Kelleher will play at least until the November internationals as long as he stays fit…

[John83]

Probably will make Liverpool leery of selling Kelleher in January, but it gives him a great chance to stoke interest all the same.