Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

[liamoo11]

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.

Yeah that save was a bit on the ropey side reminded me of packie against Italy in 1990. Kelleher is class though. Grabara appeared to be more highly related when they were 18 or 19 in the academy so he has done really well to get to the level he is at now. Will be interesting to see what Liverpool will get for him when they sell him but I think there would be plenty of clubs who would pay 15 million plus for him next summer

[paul_oshea]

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.

Given world cup 2002 comes to mind!

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah that save was a bit on the ropey side reminded me of packie against Italy in 1990. My thoughts exactly.

Always great to save a penalty but it was a terrible penalty. I've even saved a few like that myself - just to downplay Eirambler's appreciation of it :)

I thought overall he looked really confident and lively. He looks like he thinks he belongs, which is important.

[Diggs246]

I was just thinking, since I started supporting the team in 1987, we have never had a bad goal keeper. as our number 1
Bonner
Kelly
Keily
Given
Randy
Gavin

[Eirambler]

Overall we've been lucky with keepers. Only weak period really was probably the later Given years before Randolph took over. Forde got the jersey for a while around then and while he was by no means a bad keeper, I was never fully convinced by him.

If Bazunu is to come in and nail down the jersey for the next 15 to 20 years we could have a case where we have had almost a straight run of just four keepers for close to 60 years.

Pat Bonner 1981-1996 80 caps
Shay Given 1996-2015 134 caps
Darren Randolph 2015-2020 50 caps
Gavin Bazunu 2021-203?

It's not quite as clear cut as that of course, Seamus McDonagh shared the keeper duties with Bonner in the 80s, Alan Kelly had a stint around the handover time between Bonner and Given and Forde had his stint as well, but not far off it all the same.

I'm sure Kelleher has other ideas about Bazunu nailing down the jersey as well.

[Stuttgart88]

We were looking a bit thin for cover at times. Wayne Henderson in San Marino springs to mind. Nicky Colgan. Kelham O'Hanlon. Keith Branagan was one who could have featured more. He was really good at Bolton.

Mick Kearns of Walsall was the main guy when I started watching, then Seamus McDonagh. Both rock solid for us. I remember watching "Jim" McDonagh on MOTD as a kid before I knew he was Irish and he was a standout keeper in the old First Division.

Paddy Roche played a few times, maybe just before I started watching.

[Eirambler]

Also, trying to work out who was our last first choice keeper from Dublin before Bazunu? Randolph is from Wicklow, Given and Bonner Donegal, Kelly and McDonagh are English, Alan Kelly Sr was from Wicklow also I think. Maybe I've forgotten someone. Might be going a long way back to find one from Dublin before Bazunu came along, which is surprising given how many players Dublin provide to the senior team.

[jbyrne]

Kelly and McDonagh are English,

not sure either player would agree to that to be honest. you need to read the part in Eoin Hands book that deals with Seamus McDonagh

[CraftyToePoke]

not sure either player would agree to that to be honest. you need to read the part in Eoin Hands book that deals with Seamus McDonagh

Never read it, worth a look ?

[jbyrne]

Never read it, worth a look ?

i enjoyed it. it obviously deals with his time with Ireland in the early 80s when i first became a fan, took everything at face value but was not aware of all the mad stuff going on in the FAI, crooked referees etc!

It also deals with the mad trip to south america around the time of the falklands war. also some very difficult personal stuff in it that I wasn't aware of before.
worth a read

[Stuttgart88]

Also, trying to work out who was our last first choice keeper from Dublin before Bazunu? Not many. Paddy Roche is a Dubliner but I'm not sure he was a prolonged first choice keeper. Wayne Henderson (2 consecutive caps? Tets?) is also a Dubliner. I think Joe Murphy (capped under Kerr but never a regular) is a Dub.

Among others we've had Colgan (Drogheda), Forde (Galway), Paddy Kenny, Rob Elliott, Dean Kiely, Keiren Westwood, Kelham O'Hanlon and Keith Branagan (all anglo). There was also a guy called Ron Healey back in the early 80s (anglo), capped once or twice only. Gerry Peyton (anglo) played a few times but was always Packie's understudy. Mark Travers is from Kildare.

So basically I think we have to go back to early 70s at least.

[tetsujin1979]

Not many. Paddy Roche is a Dubliner but I'm not sure he was a prolonged first choice keeper. Wayne Henderson (2 consecutive caps? Tets?) is also a Dubliner. I think Joe Murphy (capped under Kerr but never a regular) is a Dub.

Among others we've had Colgan (Drogheda), Forde (Galway), Paddy Kenny, Rob Elliott, Dean Kiely, Keiren Westwood, Kelham O'Hanlon and Keith Branagan (all anglo). There was also a guy called Ron Healey back in the early 80s (anglo), capped once or twice only. Gerry Peyton (anglo) played a few times but was always Packie's understudy. Mark Travers is from Kildare.

So basically I think we have to go back to early 70s at least.

Wikipedia is your friend here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Republic_of_Ireland_international_football ers
Click "Pos" to sort by position and go through the goalkeepers, there's not too many of them

[seanfhear]

Perhaps us playing defensively all these years has been kind to our goalkeepers.

[Stuttgart88]

Tell that to Paddy Kenny.

[seanfhear]

Tell that to Paddy Kenny.
The exception that proves the rule !

[samhaydenjr]

Allisson in quarantine in Spain and will miss the visit to Watford - chance for Kelleher to impress: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58928165

[tetsujin1979]

Starts today, the eleventh Irish player in the Premier League this season
1449321728262479876

[paul_oshea]

Hopefully he does very well today.

[pineapple stu]

Halftime and it's 83% possession for Liverpool, 7 shots to 0, 7 corners to 0, and even 23 crosses to 0.

Like Tuesday, it's a crap game for a keeper looking to impress.

[texidub]

Not had much to do so far. Ironic cheers when he had to actually make a save. Two handy debuts for him this week, playing for two utterly dominant teams.

[SkStu]

Not had much to do so far. Ironic cheers when he had to actually make a save. Two handy debuts for him this week, playing for two utterly dominant teams.

Watched from about 70 mins on and he had one very good save where he tipped a close range shot against the post and away.

[tetsujin1979]

Pretty good pass completion rate. Had similar numbers against Qatar - completed 20/22(90.91%)
1449369185818222594

[pineapple stu]

Probably easy to have a good pass success rate if the opposition are defending deep. I can't imagine Watford had a high press on for example?

[irishfan86]

The reality is a game like this can only be a trap for a young goalkeeper. If he goes in, does what’s required, that’s the expectation and he hasn’t done anything exceptional. If he has any error, of any magnitude, he’s going to face harsh criticism.

My takeaway from this match is that Kelleher is maturing. We know he is good with the ball at his feet but today he never messed around. He almost always tried to release the ball with little fuss, especially at 0-0. We all know at this point that he’s a good shot stopper. My main concern has been whether he tries to do too much in possession and whether that would make him a liability at the highest level. I think that has largely been coached out of him as he was decisive and kept it simple when the game was tight. As the scoreline changed and as the nature of the game changed he started to get a bit cuter in possession but that was appropriate based on the scoreline.

His best moment in the match was his save where he pushed the ball onto the post with a great reaction save. The assistant ref ultimately flagged for offside but he didn’t know that at the time.

Bottom line, Liverpool dominated, Kelleher was insignificant in terms of his team actually getting a result, but looked the part when called upon. Like many here I’d like to see him get more minutes, but I think there’s a lot to be said for a guy who steps in for a club as big as Liverpool and looks as steady as he does, especially given how sporadic his appearances are. Clearly a guy who has a lot of confidence and quality.

[third policeman]

I don’t think either Kelleher or Bazunu have any real prospect of becoming first choice at their respective clubs. Not because they are not good enough, but simply because of who is in front of them. As things stand, I suspect Kelleher’s next move could be a transfer rather than a loan. Liverpool don’t want to loan him out, but nor would they stand in the way of a good career move. Bazunu on the other hand could well end up back at City as number 2. Paradoxically, Kelleher could be further ahead in terms of the trajectory of his career, and could, by next season be playing more regularly at a higher level.

[livehead1]

I don’t think either Kelleher or Bazunu have any real prospect of becoming first choice at their respective clubs. Not because they are not good enough, but simply because of who is in front of them. As things stand, I suspect Kelleher’s next move could be a transfer rather than a loan. Liverpool don’t want to loan him out, but nor would they stand in the way of a good career move. Bazunu on the other hand could well end up back at City as number 2. Paradoxically, Kelleher could be further ahead in terms of the trajectory of his career, and could, by next season be playing more regularly at a higher level.

You never know, Brazilian's aren't renowned for staying more than a few seasons at any one European club. Both Allison and Ederson might want new challenges at some point.

[TonyD]

You never know, Brazilian's aren't renowned for staying more than a few seasons at any one European club. Both Allison and Ederson might want new challenges at some point.

Yes, but it would be a big call for Liverpool or City to put their trust in such a young keeper if their main choice left. Not saying they definitely wouldn’t, but you’d imagine the temptation would be for them to go out and spend big. Klopp would probably be the more inclined of the two to give the rookie a chance you’d imagine.

[mypost]

His best moment in the match was his save where he pushed the ball onto the post with a great reaction save. The assistant ref ultimately flagged for offside but he didn’t know that at the time.

It wasn't offside either. The flag went up for the next phase of play after his save. Fabulous save. Its a pity he can't play more glamorous games, but the fixture list is what it is. All he can do when he's out there is keep clean sheets and play well, it's up then to his manager to notice.

[elatedscum]

Looks set to miss the league cup game tomorrow due to illness.

The young fella has the worst timing imaginable... He has coincided his injuries with Alison's, meaning he's played about half the games he would have and the same when Randolph was injured for Ireland and Bazunu got in...

[seanfhear]

Looks set to miss the league cup game tomorrow due to illness.

The young fella has the worst timing imaginable... He has coincided his injuries with Alison's, meaning he's played about half the games he would have and the same when Randolph was injured for Ireland and Bazunu got in...
OK ~ Who has got the Doll of Kelleher ?

[Kingdom]

OK ~ Who has got the Doll of Kelleher ?

Gav Bazunu, of course :-)


You never know, Brazilian's aren't renowned for staying more than a few seasons at any one European club. Both Allison and Ederson might want new challenges at some point.

That's my take on it. At some point in the next 18 months there is going to be a merrygoround between the big continental teams and their keepers. I don't think it's that big a leap to think that Liverpool will put faith in Kelleher, and use the millions they'd get for Allison to either bump up the existing contracts, or replace a couple of those pushing on/not good enough. Adrian is a keeper of significant PL experience, they still have Karius on the books, yet they turn to Kelleher when Allison is unavailable? That's about as big a sign of confidence as you could ask for.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Still can't get a game even with Liverpool through and guaranteed top spot in the group. On the bench.

[Diggs246]

I hope jaros going back to Liverpool won't cause our guy any problems
I guess not tbf

[pineapple stu]

I think Kelleher's a step above LoI in fairness. Wouldn't be too worried about Jaros yet.

[tommy_c12000]

Two dead rubber European games and no Kelleher start. He needs to sort his career out

[Razors left peg]

Two dead rubber European games and no Kelleher start. He needs to sort his career out

But at least hes far better than Bazunu according to some on here

[dynamo kerry]

Two dead rubber European games and no Kelleher start. He needs to sort his career out
Dont think he is in control here. Cautionary tale is ohara. Kelleher cant do anything about not being picked at this stage. Has barely got enough games under his belt to be a compelling signing. Loan move maybe...depends on what he is being told by klopp. Fa cup run beckons. I doubt he will move before the summer.

[seanfhear]

Two dead rubber European games and no Kelleher start. He needs to sort his career out
Jeez, ya’d think they’d give the fella a game !

[pineapple stu]

Dont think he is in control here. Cautionary tale is ohara. Kelleher cant do anything about not being picked at this stage. Has barely got enough games under his belt to be a compelling signing. Loan move maybe...depends on what he is being told by klopp. Fa cup run beckons. I doubt he will move before the summer.
In fairness O'Hara never played for United, and only made the bench once. I think Kelleher's a step or two ahead of him in that he is the established number 2.

Agree with most of the rest of your post though. He'll find a loan move if let - Bazunu was a less compelling signing when joining Rochdale last year - but yeah, he does need games, and backup keeper is an awful place to be stuck

[tommy_c12000]

I don’t buy it. He needs game time. Up to him to force it. Liverpool’s treatment of him is unacceptable and does not have his best interests at heart, it’s clearly club first well before his development. He will be just as easily cast aside once they acquire a more experienced keeper. He needs to man up and force a loan

[dynamo kerry]

In fairness O'Hara never played for United, and only made the bench once. I think Kelleher's a step or two ahead of him in that he is the established number 2.

Agree with most of the rest of your post though. He'll find a loan move if let - Bazunu was a less compelling signing when joining Rochdale last year - but yeah, he does need games, and backup keeper is an awful place to be stuck
I think my note on ohara was more that he got ahead of himself and made questionable calls. Defo..CK is already ahead of him at the same stage. Agreed.

He should be relatively compelling as a signing for a decent club. If dean Henderson can get a game so can kelleher. Timing is everything though. A good club where he'll play needing a keeper has to appear at the right time. That Sheffield run for Henderson was exactly what he needed. I'd be worried he would stick it out though hoping for the alison injury curse to strike again.

Not getting played in these dead rubbers is the first sign of trouble for me. Too early to panic though. He knows, Realistically alisson isn't going anywhere for a year or 3. I presume he has a plan. Next season he probably should be considering a loan. Hopefully he works it out like courtois did rather than say ben foster.

[mypost]

I don’t buy it. He needs game time. Up to him to force it. Liverpool’s treatment of him is unacceptable and does not have his best interests at heart, it’s clearly club first well before his development. He will be just as easily cast aside once they acquire a more experienced keeper. He needs to man up and force a loan

Look, he's a goalkeeper. Only one can play at any one time, it's not like any other position where there are 2 or 3 or 4 different options every match. So that has to be recognised when people are telling him what he should do.

He's in a no win situation. As long as Alisson can stand up straight, he plays. Nobody at Liverpool wants him unavailable. If Kelleher does play, people say one off games are not enough. If he doesn't play those games, people say he needs to leave. If he listens to them, any new club is a step down, and he sacrifices his chance to play more EPL games and win another European Cup medal. Even going through all that is no guarantee he will play for Ireland.

This time last year, he was playing every week in a poor Liverpool PL2 team, and conceding 7 goals against City at home. This year, he's part of matchday squads, and played in the EPL. He's found a pathway into the first team squad, so there's nothing wrong with Liverpool's treatment of him. It's easy to say he should do this that and the other, but he knows what he needs to do. The last time a Liverpool No. 2 left the club, Alisson got injured within a week. If Alisson is unavailable, he will have a wonderful opportunity to make the most of. So obviously he's decided to stick around to wait to do just that.

[tommy_c12000]

2 dead rubber European game and no game time for your young second choice keeper who has single digit senior appearances. If Caoimhin is satisfied with that and willing to bide his time in case of an Alisson injury then fair enough, but it’s not wise IMO

[seanfhear]

2 dead rubber European game and no game time for your young second choice keeper who has single digit senior appearances. If Caoimhin is satisfied with that and willing to bide his time in case of an Alisson injury then fair enough, but it’s not wise IMO
You’d wonder why they did not play him in this game ?

[third policeman]

2 dead rubber European game and no game time for your young second choice keeper who has single digit senior appearances. If Caoimhin is satisfied with that and willing to bide his time in case of an Alisson injury then fair enough, but it’s not wise IMO

Given Liverpool changed their entire back four, it probably seemed like sensible insurance to have Alisson between the sticks. Kelleher will get games in the domestic cups and will play if Alisson is injured. Would a loan be better for his development? Probably, but it won’t happen until they have a better back-up than Adrian.

[sadloserkid]

That's fair commentary to a degree third policeman but I think it also says pretty clearly that

A) Klopp was prioritising all of that back four getting a game over Kelleher

B) He doesn't have as high an impression on Kelleher to provide that insurance as he'll glibly proclaim in an interview.

[third policeman]

2 dead rubber European game and no game time for your young second choice keeper who has single digit senior appearances. If Caoimhin is satisfied with that and willing to bide his time in case of an Alisson injury then fair enough, but it’s not wise IMO

Given Liverpool changed their entire back four, it probably seemed like sensible insurance to have Alisson between the sticks. Kelleher will get games in the domestic cups and will play if Alisson is injured. Would a loan be better for his development? Probably, but it won’t happen until they have a better back-up than Adrian.

[JR89]

Given Liverpool changed their entire back four, it probably seemed like sensible insurance to have Alisson between the sticks. Kelleher will get games in the domestic cups and will play if Alisson is injured. Would a loan be better for his development? Probably, but it won’t happen until they have a better back-up than Adrian.

But they'll also probably change the back four again when the league cup comes around in two weeks though, so does Allison start again.

[kennedmc]

But they'll also probably change the back four again when the league cup comes around in two weeks though, so does Allison start again.

You don't get 2.5 million for winning a league cup game

Klopp rates Kelleher that is why he is his number 2 keeper and got a new long term deal.

The very fact he is his number 2 means he will not be sent on loan. Kelleher knew this when he signed. The best clubs in the world don't let their number 2 keepers go on loan to Portsmouth with a 24 hour recall option:rolleyes:

Kelleher is taking a long term view of his career. He signed what I guess is a lucrative long term deal so he'll probably stay at Liverpool until he's 25 and then move on if he is not first choice.

Keepers can play at elite level until there 36 / 27 so plenty of time for him.

[third policeman]

That's fair commentary to a degree third policeman but I think it also says pretty clearly that

A) Klopp was prioritising all of that back four getting a game over Kelleher

B) He doesn't have as high an impression on Kelleher to provide that insurance as he'll glibly proclaim in an interview.

Klopp was prioritising resting his first choice back four, and ensuring against injuries in the light of last year’s experience. I don’t think there is anything glib about his praise of Kelleher, it’s generally been in the context of recognising his performances when he has played. I can see the logic in playing an experienced goalie behind a scratch back four, and I can see why he needed to pick a scratch back four. Neither necessarily reflect on Kelleher. If he didn’t have confidence in him, he wouldn’t be No 2 and wouldn’t be sat on the bench every week ahead of Adrian.