Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

[Eirambler]

I don't think he was ever going in January anyway. Once he didn't go in the summer he was always staying at least one more season until the Georgian comes in. He should be able to move on next summer, though there is a risk that Alisson might go to Asia next summer and Liverpool decide to keep Kelleher as number 2 to the new keeper for one more year rather than accepting a reduced fee for him with only a year left on his contract.

[liamoo11]

I don't think he was ever going in January anyway. Once he didn't go in the summer he was always staying at least one more season until the Georgian comes in. He should be able to move on next summer, though there is a risk that Alisson might go to Asia next summer and Liverpool decide to keep Kelleher as number 2 to the new keeper for one more year rather than accepting a reduced fee for him with only a year left on his contract.

I think Kelleher might prefer to stay next season run his contract down and cash in on the signing on fee.

[seanfhear]

Hopefully Kelleher stays fit for all of this opportunity.

[joey B]

Comfortable day for him ,didn’t have an awful lot to do but did it without much fuss ….

[joey B]

Played well again this evening, made a couple of good saves and was good with his passing, one hairy moment in the first half aside couldn't fault him.....

[pineapple stu]

Man of the match on whoscored (https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1866120/LiveStatistics/Europe-Champions-League-2024-2025-RB-Leipzig-Liverpool) FWIW - not sure who they gave it to at the game?

[Stuttgart88]

That well known measure of football performance, Twitter / X, was full of praise for him. BT's pundits singled him out. Fans seem to think that wherever he goes to it should be a CL level team.

[tetsujin1979]

Man of the match on whoscored (https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1866120/LiveStatistics/Europe-Champions-League-2024-2025-RB-Leipzig-Liverpool) FWIW - not sure who they gave it to at the game?

Uefa.com gave it to Ederson
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2041966--atalanta-vs-celtic/

[Eirambler]

That was for the Celtic game, Tsimikas got it for the Liverpool game. But to have two Irish players in two different Champions League matches contending for POTM on the same night counts as progress I'd say.

[seanfhear]

That well known measure of football performance, Twitter / X, was full of praise for him. BT's pundits singled him out. Fans seem to think that wherever he goes to it should be a CL level team.
The big question is ~ ~ Why don't Liverpool seem to view Kelleher as their long term goal-keeper ~ ~ What do Liverpool see / know that so many others don't ?

[tetsujin1979]

That was for the Celtic game, Tsimikas got it for the Liverpool game. But to have two Irish players in two different Champions League matches contending for POTM on the same night counts as progress I'd say.

sorry, total brainfart on my part there. Here's the Liverpool game: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2041963--leipzig-vs-liverpool/

[joey B]

The big question is ~ ~ Why don't Liverpool seem to view Kelleher as their long term goal-keeper ~ ~ What do Liverpool see / know that so many others don't ?

I presume the fact it’s a completely new football operation has something to do with it,Richard Hughes might have been tracking the Georgian fella for a long time and before Kelleher had really a chance to impress the new coaches the signing might have been agreed,a real shame though because Allison looks like he might be gone sooner than expected if his injury problems persist……

[~YTM~]

The big question is ~ ~ Why don't Liverpool seem to view Kelleher as their long term goal-keeper ~ ~ What do Liverpool see / know that so many others don't ?

I'd say it's more Kelleher doesn't fancy waiting around anymore until Alisson finally leaves.

It sounds like Alisson might see out his Liverpool contract which has just over 2.5 years to run. Might end up signing a new contract also. Third highest player at the club supposedly so don't think he'd be that tempted by Saudi.

[elatedscum]

Allison did an interview recently saying he wants to see out his contract at the very least. Which is till 2026 with a club option for 2027, so presumably till 2027.

It could as easily have been: Alisson is staying 3 years and maybe more. Kelleher has 2 years left on his contract and if he’s not happy on the bench, he won’t renew, so try cash in on him this summer or next. So given Allison’s injury history, then you look for another elite replacement and you get a deal done for Mamardashvili to come in 12 months. And you plan to sell Kelleher, take in £20-35m depending on how he looks this season and if you can include a buyback clause…

They didn’t particularly convey that to Kelleher, so maybe it’s just Richard Hughes didn’t realise how good he was and all of the coaching staff etc turned over, so there was no one advocating for Kelleher - but seems weird when he played 26 games for Liverpool last season.

[~YTM~]

Wonder if we'll see Kelleher stay at Liverpool next season and leave on a free when his contract is up. They wanted £25M during the summer and I don't see that price coming down.

Kelleher's options are gonna be slim if Liverpool keeps insisting on such a high price given his lack of experience and only having one year left on his contract.

[elatedscum]

i don't really get it. in the premier league alone, there's so many sides who would be improved with Kelleher starting for them. Most high profile would be Chelsea - he's a mile ahead of Sanchez - but really there's only about 5 premier league keepers who are definitely ahead of him. you'd imagine there are other teams across europe, in spain, italy, france and germany who are desperate to add a really good keeper. plus, there's always a churn - for arguments sake, Juventus are looking for a keeper, they take a look at Kelleher but sign Vicario from Spurs. Spurs now need a keeper and they look at Kelleher, but let's say they with their potential Saudi investors, they sign Martinez from Villa who need the money to sell. Villa look at Kelleher, but they sign Brighton's Verbruggen etc etc etc.

So in the end, you've probably got a dozen clubs in Europe actively looking for a keeper as good as Kelleher - can't see why it hasn't happened, why someone hasn't bitten the bullet and bought Kelleher... You only have to watch the 26 games he started last season to see the level he's at...

[Eirambler]

I think his standing has maybe changed now, while he was good last season there was still a concern over his shot stopping and whether it was at the level required. Different story now though, he's stepped up to another level. I think Liverpool will need to keep him in January but if he keeps his current form up until next summer he'll be moving on for sure.

[Plib]

I can't explain the mentality but the pattern has always been more conservative with goalkeepers and centre backs due to the risk involved while they are developing. A developing striker may miss clear chances, a developing keeper could cost you the game.

In saying that, Kelleher is far past the point of "developing", and when you see keepers like Trafford getting a chance as a number one in the league and he still hasn't it makes you scratch your head.

In saying that Emi Martinez first gig as a number 1 is with Aston Villa, and he got that just before he turned 28. So Kelleher may yet have a stellar premier league career. But for me, personally, I'd like to see him go elsewhere and make his name on the continent. An Irish goalkeeper at Juventus sounds nice to me!

[~YTM~]

I can't explain the mentality but the pattern has always been more conservative with goalkeepers and centre backs due to the risk involved while they are developing. A developing striker may miss clear chances, a developing keeper could cost you the game.

In saying that, Kelleher is far past the point of "developing", and when you see keepers like Trafford getting a chance as a number one in the league and he still hasn't it makes you scratch your head.

In saying that Emi Martinez first gig as a number 1 is with Aston Villa, and he got that just before he turned 28. So Kelleher may yet have a stellar premier league career. But for me, personally, I'd like to see him go elsewhere and make his name on the continent. An Irish goalkeeper at Juventus sounds nice to me!

Because Trafford was bought by Burnley as a long term option, same as Bazunu at Southampton, while Alisson is the best keeper in the world.

[Plib]

Because Trafford was bought by Burnley as a long term option, same as Bazunu at Southampton, while Alisson is the best keeper in the world.

Trafford is only 3 years younger than Kelleher. Do you think any goalkeeper is staying at a championship yo yo club long enough for those three years to matter in 10-12 years time?

[Jolly Red Giant]

Trafford is only 3 years younger than Kelleher. Do you think any goalkeeper is staying at a championship yo yo club long enough for those three years to matter in 10-12 years time?
Probably not - but Kelleher is way better than Trafford and, at least at this point, better than Bazunu. Kelleher is better than several PL keepers - but clubs aren't going to fork out £25m for an upgrade if their current keeper is good enough.

[Colbert Report]

Kelleher is going to get a massive signing on bonus somewhere if he runs his contract down. Beaten twice today, but on the first one he had no chance. Looks as good as any other goalkeeper in the Premier League, with the exception of Alisson, unfortunately.

[liamoo11]

Kelleher is going to get a massive signing on bonus somewhere if he runs his contract down. Beaten twice today, but on the first one he had no chance. Looks as good as any other goalkeeper in the Premier League, with the exception of Alisson, unfortunately.

Yeah I'd see it that way , run his contract down and sign a pre contract next January somewhere in Europe. Take a massive sign on fee

[elatedscum]

can't see him being third choice. i can see the financial allure, but for his career, it makes no sense.

Last season, excluding international football, he played 26 high level games: including 8 european games, 10 premier league games including games against Man City and Man Utd. A league cup final and pretty incredible FA Cup game against Man Utd. It's incredible experience.

This season, so far, he's played 5 games already including big premier league games vs Chelsea and Arsenal - and a champions league game against Leverkusen - if he's winding down his contract and not signing a new one or willing to move, unless Mamardashvili goes on loan, then Liverpool will make him No.2, so Kelleher will probably literally play 0 games.

Just can't see it happening. That's also a surefire way to kill interest in you, if you haven't kicked a ball in 12 months

[liamoo11]

can't see him being third choice. i can see the financial allure, but for his career, it makes no sense.

Last season, excluding international football, he played 26 high level games: including 8 european games, 10 premier league games including games against Man City and Man Utd. A league cup final and pretty incredible FA Cup game against Man Utd. It's incredible experience.

This season, so far, he's played 5 games already including big premier league games vs Chelsea and Arsenal - and a champions league game against Leverkusen - if he's winding down his contract and not signing a new one or willing to move, unless Mamardashvili goes on loan, then Liverpool will make him No.2, so Kelleher will probably literally play 0 games.

Just can't see it happening. That's also a surefire way to kill interest in you, if you haven't kicked a ball in 12 months

It won't be like that though. He will still play games in the second half of this season in rhe cardbo Cup and fa Cup hopefully and maybe more if Allison's injuries continue as well as our international games. Come the summer liverpool can't move Kelleher.on so take a loan fee for mamardashvilli and keep kelleher as backup for next season and just like this season hopefully Allison has some injuries and he plays a bit

[elatedscum]

It won't be like that though. He will still play games in the second half of this season in rhe cardbo Cup and fa Cup hopefully and maybe more if Allison's injuries continue as well as our international games. Come the summer liverpool can't move Kelleher.on so take a loan fee for mamardashvilli and keep kelleher as backup for next season and just like this season hopefully Allison has some injuries and he plays a bit

Or they integrate Mamardashvili - and tell Kelleher if he wants to play at all in 2025/26 then he should accept a transfer. That's pretty much what every football club would do in that situation.

[Eirambler]

He'll move on this summer. The Marmardashvili signing pretty much ensures it. The only way I could see him staying is if Alisson goes to Saudi or somewhere like that. Otherwise there's no room for him at Liverpool beyond this season.

[elatedscum]

He'll move on this summer. The Marmardashvili signing pretty much ensures it. The only way I could see him staying is if Alisson goes to Saudi or somewhere like that. Otherwise there's no room for him at Liverpool beyond this season.

And that seems incredibly unlikely considering the interview that Alisson gave at the end of August.

If Alisson or Mamardashvili get a long term injury like an ACL or the type of Achilles injury Bazunu got - that probably changes the dynamics. But short of that, I can’t see him staying beyond the summer

[Snapshot]

He'll move on this summer. The Marmardashvili signing pretty much ensures it. The only way I could see him staying is if Alisson goes to Saudi or somewhere like that. Otherwise there's no room for him at Liverpool beyond this season.


And that seems incredibly unlikely considering the interview that Alisson gave at the end of August.

If Alisson or Mamardashvili get a long term injury like an ACL or the type of Achilles injury Bazunu got - that probably changes the dynamics. But short of that, I can’t see him staying beyond the summer
I believe he'll move. Our green tints sometimes blurr reasonable analysis. The Bazunu case is a classic. Kelleher has gathered some deserved kudos at a high level, but he seems to consistently leave the door of doubt ajar. Against Arsenal, he must be questioned about the first goal - near post and straight at him. Also, he was all over the shop for the disallowed goal. Throw in his bizarre howler against Greece in an otherwise solid performance and the question mark looms larger.


He's good and certainly good enough for Ireland. But good enough for Liverpool in the new, high-expectation Slot era? I don't think they'll see him offering the required level of reliability.

[Eirambler]

The first one was on Robertson surely - he was completely done for pace. The shot was from point blank range, I don't think that's in any way on Kelleher. He misjudged the bounce of the ball for the disallowed goal alright.

[Stuttgart88]

No blame at all for the first goal, imho. It was rifled at him. It was quite similar in a way to Weghorst's goal against Bazunu in Amsterdam. It's a misinformed cliche that keepers shouldn't be beaten at their near post. There's a kernel of truth in it but in reality a keeper has to cover a lot of the goal unless it's a super-tight angle (Almunia letting in an Eto shot in the 2006 CL final springs to mind).

If you see it from behind the goal there's also a fair bit of space to Kelleher's right he had to cover.

[Olé Olé]

No blame at all for the first goal, imho. It was rifled at him. It was quite similar in a way to Weghorst's goal against Bazunu in Amsterdam. It's a misinformed cliche that keepers shouldn't be beaten at their near post. There's a kernel of truth in it but in reality a keeper has to cover a lot of the goal unless it's a super-tight angle (Almunia letting in an Eto shot in the 2006 CL final springs to mind).

If you see it from behind the goal there's also a fair bit of space to Kelleher's right he had to cover.

It was rifled and Saka was coming across too so the far post was available too. And the quickness with which he took the strike and power it was hit at. Impossible.

The Arsenal free kick was hard to do something about too. It was an awesome set piece really. Can call it luck in how VVD's foot kept Merino onside but those were the margins that Arsenal were playing with for that move and they came in the right side of that margin.

[liamoo11]

He'll move on this summer. The Marmardashvili signing pretty much ensures it. The only way I could see him staying is if Alisson goes to Saudi or somewhere like that. Otherwise there's no room for him at Liverpool beyond this season.

Then they have no cash from kelleher or from Marmardashvilli for the season. If they loan Marmardashvilli out they get a sizeable loan fee and have him develop as a first choice for another season rather than wasting his season sitting on the bench behind Allison. They still have Kelleher to support Allison for that season so they are getting some value out of Kelleher. Nobody is going to pay more than 5 million for Kelleher when he has only one year left on his deal

[Rayzor]

Nobody is going to pay more than 5 million for Kelleher when he has only one year left on his deal

They'll easily get 15m for him, an ageing Kane went to Munich for 100m despite having only a year left, United also paid over 50m for Mount who had only a year left.

[Eirambler]

Yeah he'll go for way more than 5 million. Would be surprised is it's any less than 8 figures.

[Jolly Red Giant]

can't see him being third choice. i can see the financial allure, but for his career, it makes no sense.
There is no financial incentive for him - when he signed the contract the contract in 2021, getting £25K a week as a back-up made sense - but now he is a PD standard goalie and would at least double that if he was to move.

[Plib]

Great double save just there by Kelleher in the champions league vs Leverkusen. Putting himself out there on the European Market for next year too!

[seanfhear]

From the BBC's match-tracker.

Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
Another two big saves by Caoimhin Kelleher tonight.
Alisson is expected to be fit after the international break.
How does Arne Slot keep two good keepers happy?

[liamoo11]

From the BBC's match-tracker.

Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
Another two big saves by Caoimhin Kelleher tonight.
Alisson is expected to be fit after the international break.
How does Arne Slot keep two good keepers happy?

Unfortunately I doubt he cares is Kelleher is happy. If Ali is fit Ali plays in Pl and champions league. Hopefully they let Kelleher have fa Cup.as well league cup. Kelleher excellent tonight

[Eirambler]

He can't and won't keep both of them happy. They know Kelleher is leaving so they won't worry too much about it.

But someone is going to get an excellent keeper next season, he's pretty much the finished article now.

[elatedscum]

Contract situation aside, if Kelleher gets 25 games a season at Liverpool, I think that is a perfectly good situation. He managed 26 last season and he’s probably on course to do the same this season.

He’s playing in the premier league, the champions league - genuinely contributing to Liverpool potentially winning a title. Important games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, Leverkusen and Leipzig. It’s all high end stuff.

Say for example if he signs with West Ham in the summer, it’s twice as many games but it’s a huge step down for him

[liamoo11]

Contract situation aside, if Kelleher gets 25 games a season at Liverpool, I think that is a perfectly good situation. He managed 26 last season and he’s probably on course to do the same this season.

He’s playing in the premier league, the champions league - genuinely contributing to Liverpool potentially winning a title. Important games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, Leverkusen and Leipzig. It’s all high end stuff.

Say for example if he signs with West Ham in the summer, it’s twice as many games but it’s a huge step down for him

Absolutely. Everything realistically is a step down for him when he leaves Liverpool. Lots more games for him.but as you say likely never the high end high stakes games with a world wide focus that he has had at Liverpool. What a career he has had at Liverpool

[seanfhear]

You'd have to wonder why Liverpool are not more keen to keep him really ? !

[Snapshot]

Kelleher has compiled impressive moments at Liverpool but labelling any move anticlimactic is pushing it. He has never been other than a substitute, his career reliant on the fitness of Alisson. But what a career he's had to date? Yes, but only thanks to Alisson being made of paper mache. Otherwise it’s the bench, his ambition being out of his hands.


Complicating matters is Mamardashvili’s arrival probably on a wage five times Kelleher's current £0.5m (capped) deal which expires next season. A fit Alisson and £30m Mamardashvili could tangle the swings and roundabouts. I cannot see sense in Kelleher staying beyond this season unless designated the No.1 with wages to match. Working down his contract gives him negotiation muscle but a season of mostly bench-warming would compromise that. It’s time, Caoimhin.

[elatedscum]

Kelleher has compiled impressive moments at Liverpool but labelling any move anticlimactic is pushing it. He has never been other than a substitute, his career reliant on the fitness of Alisson. But what a career he's had to date? Yes, but only thanks to Alisson being made of paper mache. Otherwise it’s the bench, his ambition being out of his hands.


Complicating matters is Mamardashvili’s arrival probably on a wage five times Kelleher's current £0.5m (capped) deal which expires next season. A fit Alisson and £30m Mamardashvili could tangle the swings and roundabouts. I cannot see sense in Kelleher staying beyond this season unless designated the No.1 with wages to match. Working down his contract gives him negotiation muscle but a season of mostly bench-warming would compromise that. It’s time, Caoimhin.

That claim he earns half a million a year is nonsense. His previous deal was for £15k per week and that’s before the one he signed in 2021, which was supposed to be a significant pay rise.

My guess is it started at 35k per week and there’s an annual increase year on year, so he’s probably on 50k per week but could easily be more.

There are (American) websites who just make up figures for each player and it’s treated as gospel

[~YTM~]

You'd have to wonder why Liverpool are not more keen to keep him really ? !

I'm sure they'd love to keep him but that involves signing a new contract and don't think he fancies signing a new contract.

[SkStu]

What a career he has had at Liverpool

One of the greats alright.

[Stuttgart88]

He’s super reliable for them and there’s never a hint that him being in the side weakens them at all. He clearly has the trust of some seriously good players. That’s a big compliment in itself. That said, I thought he was a bit flappy a couple of times last night. MOTD commentators said he made a great reaction save from a corner but I think he was a bit late to anticipate the ball coming to him myself. And he totally misread the next cross that came in. An earlier tip over the bar was pretty routine for a top flight game imho.

[CraftyToePoke]

One of the greats alright.

They'll surely put a statue of him on a nice bench somewhere around the stadium, chilled, watching a good game.

[third policeman]

He's the only Irish player getting game tile at a top PL club and winning plaudits from fans and pundits every week, and yet posters on this forum know better. He's a barely adequate flapper who has wasted his talent and should have followed the Bazunu path (probably second choice keeper, when fit, at a club destined to be relegated once again Laughable.)