Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 24th March 2021 - World Cup 2022 Qualifier [Archive] - Page 5

Razors left peg

14/03/2021, 2:39 PM

The Given comparison was post #129, which was pretty much at the start of all this? Appreciate it wasn't you who made it though.

Yes, I think we're in trouble regardless. Kelleher I'd be ok with as I do think the Given comparisons stack up there. He's played a few games at a decent level and done reasonably well, but it's not clear if he'll be fit in time. Bazunu - "he isn't making bad mistakes every week" isn't a ringing endorsement. (The old joke about the two guys fleeing a lion comes to mind - I don't need to be fast to survive, I just need to be faster than the other guy. PotM just means he's showing better than the attacking players who haven't scored in seven games) Travers - yeah, also wouldn't be confident. And then you add in that we've also got no forwards and our competitiveness thus far under Kenny has needed some good performances from Randolph, and you get my earlier conclusion that I'm worried about the Luxembourg game, never mind Serbia.

The Given comparison was made by me, and I still think it's relatively valid.

When Given was called up he had been released by Celtic, signed by Blackburn and been on loan at Swindon and Sunderland.

Bazunu was playing men's football at 16 with Rovers to a high enough level that one of biggest clubs in thr world signed him. At age of 18 when most keepers are still playing underage football City sent him out to get more 1st team experience and by all accounts he's doing very well in a sh1t team. I would be willing to bet that next season he'll be on loan in Championship.

I'm not saying it's the exact same as Given, my point is that Given at 19 wasn't as far ahead of him as you seem to suggest. If everyone was fit I wouldn't be calling for him to be starting, my point is more that if Kelleher is not fit he should be next in line and I wouldn't be overly concerned to see him start.

I think we could be lucky enough to have an excellent keeper competition for years to come

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 3:00 PM

Razors left peg

14/03/2021, 3:36 PM

Still can't agree; they're the same age and that's about it.

It's a big performance gap turning in clean sheet after clean sheet en route to promotion from the second tier to shipping two goals a game en route to relegation at the foot of the third.

He good have a good future ahead of him, sure, but playing him against Serbia is in no way comparable to putting Given in for a friendly Russia, which I think was effectively the original comparison.
The comparison was a bit of a throw away comment tbh, and as I said wouldn't be shouting to have him start in usual circumstances. My point is that I wouldn't be hugely concerned if he had to start due to injuries

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 3:39 PM

Bielsa�s irish

14/03/2021, 3:54 PM

Westwood to start in Serbia if fit

seanfhear

14/03/2021, 4:27 PM

Westwood to start in Serbia if fit
Yeah, No Brainer.

Razors left peg

14/03/2021, 8:02 PM

Fairy nuff. I would be quite worried if he had to start tbh; I still think he's not ready. I'd take Kelleher way ahead of him, and Westwood ahead of both. But sure lookit, let's see what happens I guess!
Westwood is an average journeyman who's never really shown much interest in being in squads. I'd much rather start Kelleher

tetsujin1979

14/03/2021, 8:09 PM

that

That Mcgrath fellow deserves a call up best individual footballer in Scotland according to stats. Scully also deserves. Would get Sean McDermott in the squad to start vs Qatar. McGeady return will lift the team spirit after those dull apathic display
I'll need to see the stats that show McGrath of the best individual footballer in Scotland in the next 24 hours
Requested information not provided. Infraction applied.

seanfhear

14/03/2021, 8:20 PM

Westwood is an average journeyman who's never really shown much interest in being in squads. I'd much rather start Kelleher
He has done more in football than all the other contenders bar Randolph combined. Ok, it looks like he did not always enjoy playing second fiddle to Shay Given when Given was injured or out of form = = Maybe he was right from his point of view !

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 8:45 PM

Agreed. 500 games, mostly at a higher level than Bazunu has ever managed for starters. 21 caps too, and I think he was harshly treated a few times down the years as well, though sub keeper is always a tough one at international level. Regular first-team starter, injuries permitting. There's a tendency on here to overstate the current ability (as opposed to the potential) of our young players, and I think this is another case. I wouldn't have Westwood as far ahead of Kelleher as I would Kelleher ahead of Bazunu, but I think I'd start him.

DeLorean

14/03/2021, 9:00 PM

Westwood should be further ahead of Kelleher (than Kelleher ahead of Bazunu) by that logic. And I'd agree.

Eminence Grise

14/03/2021, 9:13 PM

Westwood seems the logical choice as a stopgap, maybe till the end of next season when Kelleher, Bazunu and Travers might be getting games at Championship level or equivalent. But given how his injury-prone nature and sometimes less than fulfilling experiences with the team (21 caps is a poor return for a player of his ability and it's easy suggest he was sometimes unfairly overlooked) would he have any interest in turning up to win another six or seven essentially meaningless caps? I'm inclined to throw caution to the wind and say go with Kelleher - young keepers need games, he's played at the highest level this season, albeit not much, and caps now would be an investment for his development. Might also put him in the window for a loan or an offer Liverpool couldn't refuse.

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 9:17 PM

Westwood should be further ahead of Kelleher (than Kelleher ahead of Bazunu) by that logic. And I'd agree.

I'm happy to give Kelleher some credit for being the current Liverpool reserve and for having played in the CL group stages. I think he'd do ok if he played, though it'd still be a risk as he has relatively little experience still. Bazunu is some way off that yet. He may be on the same potential chart, but he's a couple of years behind and right now, that's too much for my liking.

Also, the question posed by a couple of posters as to whether he'd accept a call-up is quite valid.

DeLorean

14/03/2021, 9:25 PM

He's one or two games off that yet, not quite the few hundred Kelleher is off Westwood.

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 9:47 PM

It's not just about counting the number of games though. I mean, I'm also one or two games off Kelleher's CL total but I'm not suggesting I be called up. It's what it says about each player that Kelleher is trusted with a CL game while Bazunu is sent out to Rochdale. They're at different stages in their development.

Westwood, meanwhile, has lots of experience at a level that's about as low as I'd ideally like to see a capped player. But Forde did a job from that division in fairness

DeLorean

14/03/2021, 9:53 PM

That's fine, but how you can think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than Bazunu is to Kelleher is bizarre to me. Come on like.

John83

14/03/2021, 9:53 PM

If Kenny were to select a goalkeeper who was leaking worse than 2 goals a game in the third tier, he'd be rightly criticised. That said keeper is 19 and playing behind a ****e team is grounds to think it's maybe not his final level, but it's hardly evidence that he's ready to face a Real Madrid striker if he even starts ahead of Serbia's other goal machines.

pineapple stu

14/03/2021, 10:01 PM

That's fine, but how you can think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than Bazunu is to Kelleher is bizarre to me. Come on like.

I mean, I outlined why in my post about half a page up. :confused:

DeLorean

14/03/2021, 10:16 PM

I mean, I outlined why in my post about half a page up. :confused:

Not really. You just seem to think a save against Ajax is worth 30 appearances in L1, maybe it is but definitely doesn't pull him closer to Westwood than he is to Bazunu.

Razors left peg

14/03/2021, 10:31 PM

Kelleher is 3 years older than Bazunu so of course he's more developed. Bazunu futher developed at 19 than Kelleher was.

Westwood hasn't always been 1st choice at his club this year. Kelleher was trusted by Klopp to play in some very big games and did well so I'd have no worries about his ability to step down from Champions League to play International football. Playing a guy who's never been a top keeper because he's older when the younger guy is probably already better is sh1te, and I would almost guarantee if Kelleher is fit Kenny will pick him

elatedscum

15/03/2021, 1:09 AM

irishfan86

15/03/2021, 1:42 AM

I see some posts implying Westwood wouldn�t answer the call. He gave an interview last month indicating that he would come if called.

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.the42.ie/westwood-open-to-recall-for-world-cup-qualifiers-5350902-Feb2021/%3famp=1

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 7:31 AM

Not really. You just seem to think a save against Ajax is worth 30 appearances in L1, maybe it is but definitely doesn't pull him closer to Westwood than he is to Bazunu.
I didn't mention anything about a save v Ajax?

As elatedscum hints at, Liverpool's second string is quite strong. We know this because the top 6 sides will regularly make wholesale changes in the cup competitions and yet still do quite well. They'd be a decent second tier side anyway. Kelleher is the second choice keeper now - we know this because Klopp trusts him in a game v Ajax, and Kelleher has repaid that faith this season - so I'd peg him as a decent second tier keeper already. Westwood is a decent second tier keeper too (but I'd give him the nod for 500 games of experience, which we could do with in our squad).

Bazunu is a promising academy player sent on loan to the bottom of the third tier for experience.

Hence Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 8:01 AM

I�ll put it to you this way Del:

Who�s a better keeper, Adrian or Westwood? Answer is probably Adrian. 139 Premier league games to 9. 2 years younger, so closer to his prime.

And yet, Kelleher is considered ahead of Adrian.

I know that�s all a bit simplistic but you get the idea.

As for bazunu, I really don�t think he�s ready yet. He�s very young. He�s eligible for the 21s for the next two campaigns. I�d have him behind the likes of Travers, O�Leary and McDermott anyway. Definitely has potential and he could easily be the best keeper of all our young keepers (money would still be on CK) but he�s still a few years off being in the conversation

Adrian was deemed better than Randolph for the most part too, when they were in direct competition, but Randolph would 100% be starting ahead of Kelleher if fit, so yes, way too simplistic. Neither do I just accept that Adrian is better than Westwood anyway, despite playing at a higher level for longer.

The truth is that Kelleher jumped ahead of Adrian because of Adrian! He's been a calamity when called upon for Liverpool, completely unreliable to the point where they decided the young fella couldn't be any worse. That's my take on it anyway.

Nobody is saying Bazunu is ready. I was originally only making the point that the amount of goals he's conceded in a poor team is an unfair metric to judge him by. The fact that he won the fans potm suggests to me that he must be doing something right, supporters don't generally back a guy who's costing them points every week, though I accept it's not an exact science.

I've already said I'd have Travers and Kelleher (narrowly) ahead of him right now. I just haven't been impressed with Kelleher for the most part but happily accept he's taken his rare opportunities this season at least.

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 8:09 AM

I didn't mention anything about a save v Ajax?

Well you mentioned the game, and that save was by far his most important contribution, so forgive me for taking liberties :D

I rate Westwood a lot higher than what I think you're giving him credit for. I think he's been a PL standard keeper playing in the Championship most of his career. Indeed he too had the opportunity to sit on Liverpool's bench, he might have even got a chance at the number one spot given their goalkeeping woes for a number of years, but I guess we'll never know how he would have fared.

Anyway, I think we're pretty much in agreement in an overall sense, just not on the finer details of the debate.

sadloserkid

15/03/2021, 8:33 AM

I think I'd probably start Kelleher ahead of Randolph even if they were both fit at this stage. They're both PL reserves, it's just one of them is on the upswing of his career. I think Randolph is only in the way at this stage however experienced he is.

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 8:40 AM

Well you mentioned the game, and that save was by far his most important contribution, so forgive me for taking liberties :D
In fairness though, if you're going to read what I've posted and then the only takeaway is something I didn't even say, then it doesn't really help a discussion!

Westwood being linked with Liverpool (6 years ago) kind of backs up the point that he and Kelleher are closer matched than Kelleher and Bazunu.

And I still don't read anything into the PotM award at a team whose only goal in the entire month came when they were 4-0 down; someone had to win the award and it's not necessarily any sort of endorsement.

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 9:00 AM

In fairness though, if you're going to read what I've posted and then the only takeaway is something I didn't even say, then it doesn't really help a discussion!

The only takeaway? We've discussed this at length, every aspect of it. Hardly the only takeaway! Admittedly, I overindulged the point to emphasise how little I think Kelleher has actually done in the game, for you to see him as being closer to Westwood than he is to, basically, a fellow rookie.

Westwood being linked with Liverpool (6 years ago) kind of backs up the point that he and Kelleher are closer matched than Kelleher and Bazunu.

It really doesn't. Westwood, as you yourself highlighted, has 500 or whatever senior appearances and was consistently rated as the best, or one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship. Not to mention the 20+ caps for us. It's beyond me how you've concluded that Kelleher is closer to that level than he is to Bazunu to be honest, with the amount of games he's actually played.

And I still don't read anything into the PotM award at a team whose only goal in the entire month came when they were 4-0 down; someone had to win the award and it's not necessarily any sort of endorsement.

Fair enough. Goalkeeper isn't really like any other position though, if you're playing poorly it's highlighted far more and pretty unlikely you'll be selected as the best of a bad lot in my opinion, if that was the case.

sbgawa

15/03/2021, 9:07 AM

Ive kept a close eye on bazunu since he went to rochdale (rovers conection) and saddo that i am i have watched a few of their matches, he has been outstanding in general and given the team in front of him he is getting plenty of practise.
I would be amazed if he isnt playing as a loanee in the championship next year to furthwr his development.
Is he ready to play for ireland ? Its a tough unforgiving position and 19 is very young to throw him in unless there are no viable alternatives. He played in europe for rovers in front of a hostile crowd at 16 and looked very comfortable. If kenny has had someone watching him then inwouldnt be shocked to see him starting. Kennys problem is he is under such pressure that a safe bet on the more obvious older candidates will be the wasy call

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 9:11 AM

The only takeaway?
Yes - I explained why, in my view, Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu, you then replied "How you can think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than Bazunu is to Kelleher is bizarre to me. Come on like", I directed you back to my detailed post, and you summarised it as "You just seem to think a save against Ajax is worth 30 appearances in L1" which isn't at all what I said and ignores everything I did actually say.

And in this post, you again say "It's beyond me how you've concluded that Kelleher is closer to that level than he is to Bazunu to be honest, with the amount of games he's actually played", so you've again ignored the bits where I gave my reasons, based in part on how they're judged by two of the top managers in the world (Klopp and Pep). While I'll tip Westwood over Kelleher on the basis of experience, I'm basing my general comparison on ability and where they're playing, not how many games they've played. As I've said, Liverpool's second string are comparable to a decent second tier side at least, which we know from cup results.

Fair enough. Goalkeeper isn't really like any other position though, if you're playing poorly it's highlighted far more and pretty unlikely you'll be selected as the best of a bad lot in my opinion, if that was the case.
On the contrary - make a couple of good saves in a team where nothing else is happening, and that can get remembered even if you were at fault for a couple of goals. We're not talking dropping the ball into the net here; we're talking more subtle errors like hesitation, bad decision-making, etc.

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 9:27 AM

Yes - I explained why, in my view, Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu, you then replied "How you can think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than Bazunu is to Kelleher is bizarre to me. Come on like", I directed you back to my detailed post, and you summarised it as "You just seem to think a save against Ajax is worth 30 appearances in L1" which isn't at all what I said and ignores everything I did actually say.

And in this post, you again say "It's beyond me how you've concluded that Kelleher is closer to that level than he is to Bazunu to be honest, with the amount of games he's actually played", so you've again ignored the bits where I gave my reasons, based in part on how they're judged by two of the top managers in the world (Klopp and Pep). While I'll tip Westwood over Kelleher on the basis of experience, I'm basing my general comparison on ability and where they're playing, not how many games they've played. As I've said, Liverpool's second string are comparable to a decent second tier side at least, which we know from cup results.

Fine, I don't think your explanation is all that credible though. We simply don't know enough about Kelleher's ability yet. You're making the assumption that because he plays for Liverpool's second side that he must be at that level, but we don't really know yet because he's played so little. He didn't look that level when he played last season, this season has gone better but it's a very small sample size.

Most on here wanted him to go out on loan as Bazunu has done. Pep obviously feels this is the best thing for Bazunu right now. Maybe Klopp would have felt the same about Kelleher had Adrian not consistently flunked his auditions, but he ended up needing him more. I'm not sure we can draw conclusions that this means Klopp rates Kelleher higher than Pep rates Bazunu, or anything like that, the situations are just different.

On the contrary - make a couple of good saves in a team where nothing else is happening, and that can get remembered even if you were at fault for a couple of goals. We're not talking dropping the ball into the net here; we're talking more subtle errors like hesitation, bad decision-making, etc.

Possibly. I still think winning the award means something, a small positive and worth pointing out when you highlighted the amount of goals he'd conceded.

sbgawa

15/03/2021, 10:06 AM

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 10:19 AM

If Keleher is playing at Liverpool than he is good enough to be there based not on the few matches we have seen him play but on the dozens upon dozens of training games and reserve games they have watched him develop in.
Clubs ruthlessly cut young players where they have any doubts.
Exactly.

The assumption that "because he plays for Liverpool's second side that he must be at that level" is a very valid one because Klopp is one of the best managers in the world and Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world, and neither would allow a reserve goalkeeper to simply arrive at that position by accident.

Also, on the reference to games he played last season - again, that's a year ago and more now. It's not hugely relevant in the context of a developing goalkeeper. He's played five first-team games this season and hasn't let them down once.

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 10:31 AM

Exactly.

The assumption that "because he plays for Liverpool's second side that he must be at that level" is a very valid one because Klopp is one of the best managers in the world and Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world, and neither would allow a reserve goalkeeper to simply arrive at that position by accident.

He persevered with Mignolet for years despite being nowhere near the required level. He then replaced him with Karius who arrived at Champions League final level, and cost them the game, never to be seen again.

Also, on the reference to games he played last season - again, that's a year ago and more now. It's not hugely relevant in the context of a developing goalkeeper. He's played five first-team games this season and hasn't let them down once.

I think it's relevant in the context that it wasn't anything brilliant Kelleher did, certainly in the matches he played, that elevated him above Adrian. If Adrian was anyway adequate Kelleher would still be third choice, so what level would that put him at? Listen it's great that he's highly rated and that he's stepped up when required this season. I just don't think there's a lot to go on yet and, as I said, he hasn't impressed me even with our U21's, which should absolutely be his level.

Diggs246

15/03/2021, 10:36 AM

Westwood is the safer option. We are talking about a goalkeeper. One mistake and we could lose. Kelleher is the future but Westwood for me against serbia

CraftyToePoke

15/03/2021, 10:39 AM

The assumption that "because he plays for Liverpool's second side that he must be at that level" is a very valid one because Klopp is one of the best managers in the world and Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world, and neither would allow a reserve goalkeeper to simply arrive at that position by accident

Equally though, Pineapple, me auld fruit, these youth players on the fringes at big clubs and not amounting to anything at all are hardly without example ? remember Richie Partridge at the very same club, darling of the reserves, bit of first team and then a plummet. The game is littered with them, and that key final part from best in development class to first team option, and then onto first team established player with international potential is one many do not make.

Its a huge call for SK, but for me its Westwood because at this moment, in this game, at this juncture in their respective careers he edges the percentages over Kelleher in as much as we know what we have in him. We only hope we know what Kelleher is as yet.

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 10:49 AM

Equally though, Pineapple, me auld fruit, these youth players on the fringes at big clubs and not amounting to anything at all are hardly without example ? remember Richie Partridge at the very same club, darling of the reserves, bit of first team and then a plummet. The game is littered with them, and that key final part from best in development class to first team option, and then onto first team established player with international potential is one many do not make.
Absolutely. That's another reason I'd have Westwood (and Randolph) ahead of Kelleher at this stage - tried and trusted. Kelleher is closer to breaking through than Bazunu of course.

He persevered with Mignolet for years despite being nowhere near the required level. He then replaced him with Karius who arrived at Champions League final level, and cost them the game, never to be seen again.
Mignolet was "nowhere near the required level"? He only won 30 caps for one of the world's top international sides (who also had Courtois), was Sunderland's Player of the Year when in the Premier (much better than a third tier PotM award) and played 250+ Premier League games. Karius wasn't "never to be seen again"; he's actually being playing quite well at Besiktas for the past two years.

Given I'm suggesting the Liverpool second-choice is decent Championship level standard, then I think you're backing up my point here - which is Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu.

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 11:01 AM

Absolutely. That's another reason I'd have Westwood (and Randolph) ahead of Kelleher at this stage - tried and trusted. Kelleher is closer to breaking through than Bazunu of course.

Mignolet was "nowhere near the required level"? He only won 30 caps for one of the world's top international sides (who also had Courtois), was Sunderland's Player of the Year when in the Premier (much better than a third tier PotM award) and played 250+ Premier League games. Karius wasn't "never to be seen again"; he's actually being playing quite well at Besiktas for the past two years.

Given I'm suggesting the Liverpool second-choice is decent Championship level standard, then I think you're backing up my point here - which is Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu.

No, Mignolet was a liability at Liverpool, and therefore nowhere near the level that they required. I think most of their fans would agree with this. It doesn't mean he's useless or hasn't had a decent career otherwise, just not good enough for a club of Liverpool's ambitions, ambitions they fulfilled after upgrading. Comparing the player of the year award at Sunderland to Bazunu's potm award might be relevant if I was claiming Bazuna > Mignolet!

Karius never played for Liverpool again after the Champions League disaster, obviously I didn't mean that he vanished off the face of the earth. He clearly wasn't as good as Klopp thought he was, is the point. If he's found 'his level' at Besiktas, good for him, but that's a hell of a drop for a guy in his prime years and one Klopp saw as his number one.

CraftyToePoke

15/03/2021, 11:07 AM

Given I'm suggesting the Liverpool second-choice is decent Championship level standard, then I think you're backing up my point here - which is Westwood > Kelleher >> Bazunu.

But how can you attribute descending levels based upon present club / status - particularly regarding a player in development ?

Its speculation at best, Connolly couldn't score at Luton ( couldn't get in the side actually) but has at Brighton. Cassidy couldn't stop scoring at Watford U23 but is sinking without trace at L1 Accrington. Parrott is on a new long term deal at Spurs but really has it all to do. My point is these are players in development and if there turns out to be a big hole in their game, guess what, Championship clubs won't be after them either because they are aiming to win games too. Particularly re keepers.

On what are you basing this, genuinely interested ? The levels thing, because again as with bright young prospects vanishing, the game is littered again with players dropping Prem to Championship and finding out they actually aren't footballers at all beyond underage, which is a different world.

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 11:50 AM

But how can you attribute descending levels based upon present club / status - particularly regarding a player in development? It's speculation at best
Of course it's speculation. This is an internet forum after all. But I'm happy to trust Klopp's judgement in promoting Kelleher to number 2 ahead of Adrian (who has 100+ Premier League games and has been called up to the Spanish squad). Bazunu is just a promising academy player at the moment by contrast. So that's why I think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than to Bazunu. That's all.

I've often urged caution on here with regards young prospects because maybe half of what we think is a decent emerging generation simply isn't going to make it.

No, Mignolet was a liability at Liverpool, and therefore nowhere near the level that they required. I think most of their fans would agree with this. It doesn't mean he's useless or hasn't had a decent career otherwise, just not good enough for a club of Liverpool's ambitions, ambitions they fulfilled after upgrading. Comparing the player of the year award at Sunderland to Bazunu's potm award might be relevant if I was claiming Bazuna > Mignolet!

Karius never played for Liverpool again after the Champions League disaster, obviously I didn't mean that he vanished off the face of the earth. He clearly wasn't as good as Klopp thought he was, is the point. If he's found 'his level' at Besiktas, good for him, but that's a hell of a drop for a guy in his prime years and one Klopp saw as his number one.
Were they absolutely tip-top first choice keepers? Probably not. But I'm not talking about that - I'm talking about evaluating a second choice keeper, who doesn't need to be absolutely tip-top (indeed, couldn't be, because if he was, he wouldn't sit on the bench for you.)

So I'm comparing Kelleher as reserve to Karius/Mignolet as reserve - which they were for a while - and suggesting that's the rough standard Liverpool are looking for in a back-up keeper. And again, that's closer to Westwood's level than Bazunu.

(I know you're not comparing Mignolet to Bazunu, but I did want to head off any suggestions of "Why are you dismissing PotM at Rochdale but evaluating Mignolet based on PotY at Sunderland?")

John83

15/03/2021, 12:06 PM

This is going in circles. I think you're nearly all in agreement that Westwood is the safer option, but disagree about the amount of evidence for the two bright prospects. Sadly, that's where we are right now: call an older player out of the wilderness or roll the dice on a kid. Things will be much clearer in a year or two, when hopefully we're arguing over two cracking young keepers playing every week at Championship level or better, but for now we're scrambling to find a backup for Randolph.

SkStu

15/03/2021, 12:06 PM

Bazunu is just a promising academy player at the moment by contrast. So that's why I think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than to Bazunu. That's all.

I dont think that is a fair representation of Bazunu currently at all. He has played 30 games as a 19 year old in a tough league and it appears is doing very well for them. I think he is beyond the "promising academy player" tag already to be fair and looks like he will make the grade as a pro. Kelleher by contrast has 9 senior appearances for Liverpool. All things considered, I would put them pretty close but, of the two, would start Kelleher if it was a straight choice for the Serbia game. On the flip side to that, based on what i have seen, i would back Bazunu to have the better career.

Geographically, Rochdale is closer to Sheffield than Liverpool is so, yeah, there's also that.

pineapple stu

15/03/2021, 12:41 PM

I would back Bazunu to have the better career.
This could well be the case alright - it's too early to tell for sure.

But Man City currently have 32 academy players out on loan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C._EDS_and_Academy#Out_on_loan). That includes Joe Hodge at Derry, but also players at Sporting, Twente, Leeds, Blackburn, Udinese, etc. Other academy players - such as Doyle, Delap and Nmencha - aren't out on loan and have made their first-team debuts.

I think a bit of context is reasonable here - and I think for now, "promising academy player" is fair.

Exgrad

15/03/2021, 12:52 PM

John Fallon seems to think Aaron Connolly has a chance of making the squad:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40244120.html

All though he has included Idah as well, and thought he was going for operation and was defo out.

Exgrad

15/03/2021, 12:58 PM

And just see that McClean is in his squad as well, had missed that it looks like he will be fit by then too:

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/james-mcclean-gives-welcome-boost-to-stephen-kenny-with-stoke-winger-now-expected-to-be-fit-for-march-qualifiers-40190055.html

Looked a disaster a few weeks back with injuries, but improving now, maybe we'll have a very well rested squad!

DeLorean

15/03/2021, 1:03 PM

Of course it's speculation. This is an internet forum after all. But I'm happy to trust Klopp's judgement in promoting Kelleher to number 2 ahead of Adrian (who has 100+ Premier League games and has been called up to the Spanish squad). Bazunu is just a promising academy player at the moment by contrast. So that's why I think Kelleher is closer to Westwood than to Bazunu. That's all.

Adrian was signed on the basis of that reputation, sure, but he has flopped majorly in the moments they've needed him, which has worked out nicely for Kelleher.

Were they absolutely tip-top first choice keepers? Probably not. But I'm not talking about that - I'm talking about evaluating a second choice keeper, who doesn't need to be absolutely tip-top (indeed, couldn't be, because if he was, he wouldn't sit on the bench for you.)

If you're going to go down the 'I trust Klopp's judgement because he's a great manager' route I think it's reasonable to highlight that his judgement on goalkeepers hasn't always been rock solid, be it back up or otherwise.

So I'm comparing Kelleher as reserve to Karius/Mignolet as reserve - which they were for a while - and suggesting that's the rough standard Liverpool are looking for in a back-up keeper. And again, that's closer to Westwood's level than Bazunu.

Yes, this is where we're miles apart, which is fine of course, but I just don't think we can loosely decide that Kelleher is roughly around the same standard as Karius/Mignolet just because he's occupying the same role as they once had. But we can agree to disagree because John83 is right, we are just going around in circles!