Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

[paul_oshea]

He's an interesting one. He could be the next Dean kiely though at both international and club level

[TonyD]

He's an interesting one. He could be the next Dean kiely though at both international and club level

I’ve been very impressed when I’ve seen him (which is not that often in fairness.) In Hungary when they got a half each I actually thought he looked a little better than Bazunu. We’re in the happy position of having them both for the next 10-15 years anyway, injuries permitting of course.

[paul_oshea]

I thought so too and agreed with p stu, he also just doesn't have the same presence as kelleher but his ability on the ball and particularly that direct floating ball over the top is enough to keep him ahead of kelleher.

Gaelic and football have become a lot more aligned in recent years than either would care to admit.

[elatedscum]

I thought so too and agreed with p stu, he also just doesn't have the same presence as kelleher but his ability on the ball and particularly that direct floating ball over the top is enough to keep him ahead of kelleher.

Gaelic and football have become a lot more aligned in recent years than either would care to admit.

Kelleher is as good with his feet as Bazunu ;)

[Olé Olé]

I thought so too and agreed with p stu, he also just doesn't have the same presence as kelleher but his ability on the ball and particularly that direct floating ball over the top is enough to keep him ahead of kelleher.

Gaelic and football have become a lot more aligned in recent years than either would care to admit.
And I'm not sure about Bazunu's GAA pedigree but I know that Kelleher's brothers play senior hurling and football for Blackrock in Cork!

[Stuttgart88]

In Hungary when they got a half each I actually thought he looked a little better than Bazunu. I thought so too but I have to be honest and say Kelleher never impressed me for the U21s - most notably Toulon - and also in one or two League Cup matches for Liverpool I thought he looked very raw. He played a blinder in the CL against Ajax though but got lost under a high floating inswinger that he missed completely but luckily for him the ref blew for an earlier foul. He was excellent in Hungary.

[Stuttgart88]

I have said that by the end of this season there could be a scenario where Bazunu could be senior keeper. He might be the only one playing regular 1st team football. We don't know what Kelleher is because he's never played anywhere regularly. Randolphs position at number 1 has to be under threat if he spends season on benchBumping this post from Razor, almost 12 months ago!

Interesting to go back over the Kelleher and subsequently Bazunu discussion from page 1 here.

[DeLorean]

It's borderline impossible to know where Kelleher is at because he plays so infrequently for club and country. All we can go on is 'Liverpool rate him' at this stage, which doesn't really mean a whole lot other than stalling his development by not allowing him go out on loan. His international career may have already been sacrificed as a result (admittedly a bit dramatic but Bazunu is younger and it's his position to lose now).

PS- Good call Razor!

[Stuttgart88]

I've always felt that if he's so highly rated by those working closely with him he must be special and I must be missing something. It's just that until Ajax and Hungary I'd never really noticed it.

[DeLorean]

Even Ajax is overblown I think because of the importance of the one save he had to make, it was routine enough. He was very good in Hungary alright.

[CSAD]

Even Ajax is overblown I think because of the importance of the one save he had to make, it was routine enough. He was very good in Hungary alright.

Routine? It was a bullet header from point blank 😂

[DeLorean]

Routine? It was a bullet header from point blank 


Looks great in real time but in truth it's pretty much straight at him. I think it would have went down as being poor had it gone in. But it didn't, so all good. :o


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha33pKvtu-k

Edit - to be fair "routine" was a poor choice of word, it's not the type of save that's needed to be made very often, but I do think it's one a keeper should make.

[paul_oshea]

To be fair bazunus mid air ones against Serbia mkstleu were all fairly straight at him too. But his ones to feet were very good saves.

[nigel-harps1954]

Worth pointing out, a goalkeepers good positioning often makes a fairly difficult save look relatively easy.

Have to be in the right place at the right time to make those saves, and that's a large part of the game for a goalkeeper now.

[sbgawa]

I'd be biased in favour of Bazunu given the Rovers connection particularly as when he was home during the summer he was seen regularly at matches but i think the first team football is the clincher in terms of playing for Ireland.
If Kelleher or Travers aren't playing then the number 1 position is his by default IMO.
Obviously if he was having a mare and letting us down that's a different story then you take a chance on a different guy who is warming a bench week in week out but until he starts letting us down he is the only logical choice.
If Kelleher makes the breakthrough and actually starts playing for Liverpool it would be hard to leave him out while playing regularly for a top 4 club unless Bazunu was in goals for city.
Wouldnt it be gas all the same considering the poverty of Iriah players at top clubs if City and Liverpool first choice keepers were Irish ;)

[DeLorean]

Wouldnt it be gas all the same considering the poverty of Iriah players at top clubs if City and Liverpool first choice keepers were Irish ;)

The 'embarrassment of riches' dilemma Brazil currently have! Unfortunately neither of those two are going anywhere soon, both having signed long-term contact extensions in the last month.

[Fixer82]

Would love to see Kelleher going on loan and getting good game time

[TonyD]

Wouldnt it be gas all the same considering the poverty of Iriah players at top clubs if City and Liverpool first choice keepers were Irish ;)

Would be great, but its hard to see either (let alone both) of these mega rich clubs putting their trust in a young Irish goalkeeper. You never know I suppose, but it would have to be considered unlikely.

[irishfan86]

Would be great, but its hard to see either (let alone both) of these mega rich clubs putting their trust in a young Irish goalkeeper. You never know I suppose, but it would have to be considered unlikely.

The counterpoint is that these clubs spend a lot of money on their academies and owners want to see a return on investment. I think managers also take pride in giving elite young players breakthrough opportunities.

All of that said, I think the likeliest path to actually earning the shirt at one of these clubs for Bazunu or Kelleher would involve a lengthy enforced absence to the main goalkeeper. And even then they would have to be almost flawless for that initial period right after the starting keeper became unavailable, and before a potential replacement was brought in.

A tough road but it’s never easy trying to make the breakthrough at clubs of that level. Would love at least one of them defy the odds and make it happen.

[Kingdom]

Azeri keeper didn’t pull off the same routine save from Duffy a few days ago.

[DeLorean]

Azeri keeper didn’t pull off the same routine save from Duffy a few days ago.

Similar enough alright. He should have saved it imo.

[mypost]

I'd be biased in favour of Bazunu given the Rovers connection particularly as when he was home during the summer he was seen regularly at matches but i think the first team football is the clincher in terms of playing for Ireland.
If Kelleher or Travers aren't playing then the number 1 position is his by default IMO.
Obviously if he was having a mare and letting us down that's a different story then you take a chance on a different guy who is warming a bench week in week out but until he starts letting us down he is the only logical choice.
If Kelleher makes the breakthrough and actually starts playing for Liverpool it would be hard to leave him out while playing regularly for a top 4 club unless Bazunu was in goals for city.
Wouldnt it be gas all the same considering the poverty of Iriah players at top clubs if City and Liverpool first choice keepers were Irish ;)

Bazunu has already conceded 7 goals against Ireland, and has yet to keep a clean sheet.

Kelleher conceded 3 goals in his 4 pre season games at Liverpool. He may play at the weekend, but even if he doesn't, he will play the League Cup game in a couple of weeks.

Bazunu got the shirt as he was available in the spring when Kelleher was injured, and despite the goals going past him, has held onto it. Kelleher will get senior games for Liverpool this season. Bazunu however, is not up to the level of Scott Carson yet, according to Guardiola.

[seanfhear]

Surprising that Liverpool don’t let Kelleher go on loan with a Recall Option though for their own and his benefit. He will need to be getting competitive games regularly soon.

[sbgawa]

Bazunu has already conceded 7 goals against Ireland, and has yet to keep a clean sheet.

Kelleher conceded 3 goals in his 4 pre season games at Liverpool. He may play at the weekend, but even if he doesn't, he will play the League Cup game in a couple of weeks.

Bazunu got the shirt as he was available in the spring when Kelleher was injured, and despite the goals going past him, has held onto it. Kelleher will get senior games for Liverpool this season. Bazunu however, is not up to the level of Scott Carson yet, according to Guardiola.

That is not correct, it would be fairer to say Guardiola thinks at 36 having Scott Carson on the bench as 3rd keeper is ok as he is not developing and has zero chance of the number 1 jersey and is just happy to have a decent payday (and fair play to him) although ironically with Ederson maybe suspended by Fifa and Steffen out with covid he might get a start this weekend.
On the other hand Bazunu is developing and needs game time hence he is out on loan

[Olé Olé]

Alisson amongst the South Americans cleared to play in the Premier League with no ban applying to him now.

[Diggs246]

Alisson amongst the South Americans cleared to play in the Premier League with no ban applying to him now.

T*ts!

[seanfhear]

T*ts!
The Power of Powerful Football Clubs / Football FAs flex’s their muscles and get their way.

[John83]

The Power of Powerful Football Clubs / Football FAs flex’s their muscles and get their way.
I think there are some mitigating circumstances with the covid situation. The match those players weren't released for was abandoned after half the Argentinian team were arrested for having breached quarantine - you have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Brazil coming from the UK if you're not a Brazilian citizen (because that passport is magic, naturally). I'd be reluctant to release a player into that mess too.

[Exgrad]

Alisson amongst the South Americans cleared to play in the Premier League with no ban applying to him now.


Kelleher could really do with a loan, he's 23 in a couple of months, at best will get a hand full of games this season.

[Diggs246]

Kelleher could really do with a loan, he's 23 in a couple of months, at best will get a hand full of games this season.

If he is number 2 at Liverpool, zero chance of a loan
I hope he gets domestic cup action

[seanfhear]

Kelleher could really do with a loan, he's 23 in a couple of months, at best will get a hand full of games this season.
A loan with a recall option would be best. Perhaps Liverpool don’t think he is ready for a loan option yet ?

[pineapple stu]

Liverpool are doing what's best for them, not Kelleher. I don't think the two are necessarily the same thing. They just want a solid backup, and I'd say that goes for training as well.

[Exgrad]

If he is number 2 at Liverpool, zero chance of a loan
I hope he gets domestic cup action

Adrian gives them number 2 cover, and if he doesnt start playing games soon when does he?

[tetsujin1979]

Adrian gives them number 2 cover, and if he doesnt start playing games soon when does he?
Later?

[seanfhear]

I suppose the only way we find out how highly Liverpool think of Kelleher is if Liverpool’s number One got a long term injury and if Liverpool then went with Kelleher or Liverpool signed another big name goal keeper.

[Exgrad]

Later?

Never?

[John83]

Adrian gives them number 2 cover, and if he doesnt start playing games soon when does he?
They clearly don't rate him.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't have a view on whether he's rated or not, but is there evidence for him being "clearly" not rated?

How many PL teams rotate keepers in the PL and CL? Most would only use FA and Carabou Cup games for this and would play their number one keeper week in, week out in the top competitions.

Alisson is far and away Liverpool's number one keeper so I think it'd be unusual for Liverpool to be giving Kelleher much game time.

Kelleher has been on the bench for all 4 of their PL games. Not sure if that means he is number two, or whether Adrian is injured.

Liverpool won't have an FA Cup game until January. I presume Carabou will start for PL teams in a few weeks.

[Eirambler]

I presumed he meant they don't rate Adrian, which is why they don't want to let Kelleher out on loan.

[John83]

Kelleher has been preferred to Adrian when Allison was out in the past season or two, so far as I recall. Perhaps I'm overstating that. Someone who keeps a firmer eye on Liverpool might comment?

[tommy_c12000]

Kelleher has been preferred to Adrian when Allison was out in the past season or two, so far as I recall. Perhaps I'm overstating that. Someone who keeps a firmer eye on Liverpool might comment?

He consolidated his number 2 position Dec 2020 after his champs league appearance (Ajax) last year along with his premier league appearance (Wolves). He is caught between a rock and a hard place at the moment. He needs senior football experience, but we’ve being saying that for the past 3 years

[Stuttgart88]

I presumed he meant they don't rate Adrian, which is why they don't want to let Kelleher out on loan.ah yes, duh :)

[zero]

Karius is still at Liverpool too despite efforts to ship him out on loan. 23 is still young for a keeper but games are needed.

[seanfhear]

Karius is still at Liverpool too despite efforts to ship him out on loan. 23 is still young for a keeper but games are needed.
You would think that will all that went on with Karius that they would just pay up his contract and let both parties move on from a very sorry episode.

[Eirambler]

Wow, I actually didn't realise Karius is still with Liverpool, and he's not even out on loan this year. Surely he'd have done a job for a lower league team given some of the goalkeeping you see on the EFL highlights show.

Some amount of keepers they have, there's a second Brazilian and a Northern Irish keeper who was signed as a training keeper also, you'd wonder what the point of that was.

[elatedscum]

Wow, I actually didn't realise Karius is still with Liverpool, and he's not even out on loan this year. Surely he'd have done a job for a lower league team given some of the goalkeeping you see on the EFL highlights show.

He rejected a move to Basel due to wage demands. Has a year left on his contract and was also offered an 80% wage for termination which he rejected. Could possibly leave in January or go on emergency loan to the EFL. Certainly a bit mad though.

He’s nominally 4th choice keeper. Then they’ve got 2 young lads out on loan up next (Jaros, Orzinsky). Then 3 keepers at 23s (Pitaluga, Hughes, Kelly) and 3 at 18s (Davies, Mrozek, Hewitson).

Seems like quite a lot of keepers... I guess it’s a demonstration as to how far Kelleher has come to rise to where he is.

He must have overtaken about 20 keepers during his time at the club. Just a shame that Alisson is probably the best keeper Liverpool have had since the days of Ray Clemence.

[Olé Olé]

Even externally, someone made the point on YBIG that the top 6 clubs don't tend to have low grade keepers as their number two or, when they have bought number two they haven't been cheap. Kepa, Steffen, Henderson, Ward, Gollini. They all have caps for Spain, USA, England, Wales and Italy.

[Diggs246]

Wow, I actually didn't realise Karius is still with Liverpool, and he's not even out on loan this year. Surely he'd have done a job for a lower league team given some of the goalkeeping you see on the EFL highlights show.

Some amount of keepers they have, there's a second Brazilian and a Northern Irish keeper who was signed as a training keeper also, you'd wonder what the point of that was.

How insane is that!! Is balatelli still on the books as well

[Olé Olé]

Continues to remind everyone how good he is tonight in the EFL Cup. A couple of saves and a save from a penalty. It wasn't a great penalty. He picked his side and dived to his right but the penalty went down the middle. His trailing feet were there to meet it and make good contact and save the ball. It was a poor penalty but he did well to slow his dive and leave his feet behind to save.

[Eirambler]

I was actually very impressed with that save, the amount of penalties I've seen where the keeper dives low to the left or right and the ball flies just past their legs low into the middle as they dive away from it - I've often wondered why more keepers don't play the percentages and keep their trailing legs in line with the penalty spot to cover those kind of penalty kicks. Kelleher did just that tonight and saved the penalty.

Arguably he could have done better with the save that led up to the penalty by pushing it around the post rather than palming it back into the area but overall he played very well.