Caoimhín Kelleher GK Brentford b.1998

Is there a benefit to Liverpool in playing him less at this point? His stock is high, he has made one big error but has generally been very good. So his transfer value is probably at his highest now. They might think it's better to leave Alisson in goal for the CL games at least I'd suspect, maybe the FA Cup game too, as any clangers from Kelleher could hurt his transfer value in the summer. And anyway it's not as though Alisson has been overplayed this season.

He'll get the League Cup game alright, that's his competition.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

He'd be crazy to go anywhere before the end of the season. He's odds on to add a league title to his European Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup medals if he stays. And - other than the League Cup wins - this would be the one he'll have contributed to the most.

He'll play a lot more at his next club, but he'll win a lot less silverware too.

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Wouldn't think there is any chance of Liverpool letting him leave either with Allison injury record.
Second choice keeper Ionut Radu cost inter Milan a scudetto, his blunder is as famous as Gerrald slip in Italy.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Is there a benefit to Liverpool in playing him less at this point? His stock is high, he has made one big error but has generally been very good. So his transfer value is probably at his highest now. They might think it's better to leave Alisson in goal for the CL games at least I'd suspect, maybe the FA Cup game too, as any clangers from Kelleher could hurt his transfer value in the summer. And anyway it's not as though Alisson has been overplayed this season.

He'll get the League Cup game alright, that's his competition.

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Such a scenario would underline Liverpool doubts about Kelleher - a de facto vote of no confidence. The club, possibly on the cusp of a great era, would not want to lose a goalkeeper they consider a champion in the making. It's a damn hard position to fill and if they believe Kelleher is the man, he goes nowhere.

Also, Kelleher is very capable of a clanger. He's owned at least two high-profile shockers recently (Hungary and Newcastle) and other marginal contenders. Some quality saves too, but a save can only be defined as such if, had the ball gone in, the goalkeeper would not be blamed. Not always the case.

It would be disappointing too if Kelleher was content to hitchhike to stardom on the bench. All those plastic medals. More preferable and credible would be a solid regular-start PL career at such as West Ham, Villa, Newcastle or maybe Leeds. Better for Ireland too.

But I also think Liverpool will make that decision for him.

Liverpool made the decision when they bought the Georgian. Kelleher's time is up and he has admitted as much himself - he will move on in the summer. If they choose not to play him outside of the League Cup they can easily explain it away by saying that that's his competition and Alisson is number one for every other game when fit.

They now have no need to pick Kelleher any further for his development, or to increase his value - he is there now purely as cover for Alisson until the end of the season, and will also play the League Cup games as would have been agreed previously.

Liverpool are playing Accrington Stanley in the cup so he could play in that or they might give Jaros minutes. In previous seasons Kelleher has played against some lower league opposition in the FA Cup with Alisson coming back in against PL opposition and sometimes championship teams

doesn't even get the league cup start. he's on his way surely.

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Originally Posted by zero

doesn't even get the league cup start. he's on his way surely.

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Could he go this window ?

Disappointing. Not least as Alison was less than impressive on Sunday. One very good save tonight, but looking very nervy.

Carabao Caoimhin doesn't even get the Carabao Cup games now - wow. He'll probably get the FA Cup game at the weekend, but still...

Couple of dodgy moments from Alisson tonight indeed. Liverpool not having a great night in general

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Carabao Caoimhin doesn't even get the Carabao Cup games now - wow. He'll probably get the FA Cup game at the weekend, but still...

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Ali needs games so I think kelleher might be sub again in fa cup

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Originally Posted by liamoo11

Ali needs games so I think kelleher might be sub again in fa cup

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Kelleher will probably play in the FA cup - Liverpool play Forest on Tuesday so Slot will rest most if not all of the first eleven.

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Originally Posted by rebelmusic

Couple of dodgy moments from Alisson tonight indeed. Liverpool not having a great night in general

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Was at the game and yep, didn't look entirely comfortable, with the ball at his feet, at least. That said, he did make one outstanding "smother" of the ball before it got across for Solanke to score.

And yes, L'pool were very lacklustre, esp in the first half. And when they did push forward in the second half and begin to dominate play, that actually hurt them, since it left them open to the counter attack, which nearly punished them more than the one goal

Well, he’s through to the league cup final. Not much to do against a pretty tame Spurs in the second leg of the semi-final.

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Originally Posted by irishfan86

Well, he’s through to the league cup final. Not much to do against a pretty tame Spurs in the second leg of the semi-final.

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Spurs keeper very poor horrible for first 2 goals and generally panicky

Distribution was excellent. **** all else to do. Tip the ball over the bar from a dangerous deflected or miss-hit cross that might have been going in and then convinced the ref it had already gone out first for a goal kick, which it hadn’t.

Son hit the bar from a ridiculous angle but Kelleher probably did as well as you could expect.

Still - felt like he covered everything well if you know what I mean. Son had a dipping shot late on and Kelleher got back on his line and made sure it was going over the bar. Spurs similarly had a wayward shot or two earlier in the game where he covered his angle well and dived and had it been on target, he had it covered

Looking almost certain now that he will leave Liverpool as a Premier League winner.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Looking almost certain now that he will leave Liverpool as a Premier League winner.

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Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

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Being at Liverpool hasn't done him any harm. He's our best player and he's got there under the tutelage of Alisson Becker, Claudio Taffarel, John Achtenberg, Fabian Otte, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

Being at Liverpool hasn't done him any harm. He's our best player and he's got there under the tutelage of Alisson Becker, Claudio Taffarel, John Achtenberg, Fabian Otte, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

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That'd be grand if he was still a young player.... hes 26, its time to move out of Mammys box room

And I'd absolutely argue the point that hes our best player.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Darren Ferguson also has a Premiership medal... Leaving Liverpool is the main thing there

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Not an appropriate comparison as Kelleher has actually had an important role to play in Liverpool’s season if they go on to win. No argument on the need to leave.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

And I'd absolutely argue the point that hes our best player.

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who's our best player?

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

who's our best player?

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Nathan Collins by a mile at the moment. Ferguson at his best would be but his best hasn't been seen in too long to make the argument for him. Collins is one of best defenders in the Premiership now.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Nathan Collins by a mile at the moment. Ferguson at his best would be but his best hasn't been seen in too long to make the argument for him. Collins is one of best defenders in the Premiership now.

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i saw someone say recently that every club in the premier league thinks that they have one of the best three centre backs in the premier league and listed these lads below:

forest - murillo/milenkovic
bournemouth - zabarnyi/huijsen
everton - branthwaite
palace - guehi/anderson
villa - konsa
brentford - collins
newcastle - schar/botman
brighton - van hecke

others who weren't mentioned but should be in the conversation:

liverpool - van dijk/konate
arsenal - saliba
spurs - van der ven
city, take your pick who you think

a far cry from a decade ago, where there were barely any decent centre backs in the whole league and City had Mangala and Demichelis, Liverpool had Klavan, Arsenal had Holding and Chambers etc. etc. etc.

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i do think if Kelleher really goes to Newcastle or Chelsea for £40m with one year left on his contract (as the papers have reported this week), then that's a fee that no Irish player in that contract situation could dream of.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

i saw someone say recently that every club in the premier league thinks that they have one of the best three centre backs in the premier league and listed these lads below:

forest - murillo/milenkovic
bournemouth - zabarnyi/huijsen
everton - branthwaite
palace - guehi/anderson
villa - konsa
brentford - collins
newcastle - schar/botman
brighton - van hecke

others who weren't mentioned but should be in the conversation:

liverpool - van dijk/konate
arsenal - saliba
spurs - van der ven
city, take your pick who you think

a far cry from a decade ago, where there were barely any decent centre backs in the whole league and City had Mangala and Demichelis, Liverpool had Klavan, Arsenal had Holding and Chambers etc. etc. etc.

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i do think if Kelleher really goes to Newcastle or Chelsea for £40m with one year left on his contract (as the papers have reported this week), then that's a fee that no Irish player in that contract situation could dream of.

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The center half quality issue of a number of years ago has now been flipped into a similar lack of quality in strikers now.

If Kelleher does move and plays every week I think then it's fair enough for him to come into the conversation of our best player, but right now my personal opinion is he has to prove it consistently first

Arguing over which of our £40m+ rated players is the best is a welcome change of position to be in anyway. And there are three players who arguably fit that description.

Several websites report Eddie Howe's intention to sign a new goalkeeper, with James Trafford (22) of Burnley their first target. However, Burnley are believed to price Trafford at £30m. According to Newcastle Utd fan site www.geordiebootboys.com, Newcastle also tracked Kelleher before the January window. As Liverpool are having to consider reducing his price tag to £20m as he enters the last year of his contract (The Mirror, 4 March), geordiebootboys.com see the Corkman as a bargain alternative to the younger Trafford.

Did anyone see Alisson’s performance tonight? Jesus, unbelievable stuff. Hands down the best keeper in the world

He was unreal, about five top class saves that he had no business even coming close to saving.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

Did anyone see Alisson’s performance tonight? Jesus, unbelievable stuff. Hands down the best keeper in the world

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It was a performance akin to a golfer breaking 60, or a 5000m runner going through the gears on a record. He was absolutely in the zone and the focus was immense, particularly with the carnage going on around him.

Not getting much protection from his defence today in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool look surprisingly off it. Probably as well for them that they're 12 points clear in the league because they're not looking in great form right now.

Maybe could have done better with the first but it was well placed. No chance for the second and pulled off a great stop to prevent Newcastle going three up. He’s done ok overall, all things considered.

Liverpool looking like a team that's already on the beach today - 3-1 down away to Fulham at halftime. Liverpool's defenders in particular not helping Kelleher, who did at least keep a clean sheet midweek against Everton

Yeah he made a couple of decent saves. Nothing he could do about the first two. The third he probably couldn't have done much either but it doesn't look the best. His distribution was middling I'd say. Some good counter work but a lot of his clearances landed on Fulham heads

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Originally Posted by rebelmusic

Yeah he made a couple of decent saves. Nothing he could do about the first two. The third he probably couldn't have done much either but it doesn't look the best. His distribution was middling I'd say. Some good counter work but a lot of his clearances landed on Fulham heads

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Brian Kerr made the point in radio commentary that Kelleher likes to take a little time to survey what to do when he has the ball - and Kerr indicated that Liverpool needed the distribution a lot faster today, particularly in the second half.

Yeah the few times he got things going fast Liverpool looked very dangerous, spot on from Kerr. I think Kelleher is too aware he's in the shop window and after the mistake he made in his last run before Xmas he does seem to be playing overly cautious.

The defence was brutal today though. Arguably all 3 Fulham goals were giveaways

Possibly his last ever game for Liverpool…

20th game on the season for Liverpool (along with 8 for Ireland). Pretty good season all things considered - vital to their eventual premier league win - played in another cup final and clocked up more champions league appearances.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

Possibly his last ever game for Liverpool…

20th game on the season for Liverpool (along with 8 for Ireland). Pretty good season all things considered - vital to their eventual premier league win - played in another cup final and clocked up more champions league appearances.

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He will almost certainly get a few more at the end when the league is wrapped up.

I know you can't really blame him for any of the goals conceded, but I would have liked to have seen him save at least one. Leno made a couple of big saves that probably won the game for Fulham. I'd like to see that a bit more from Kelleher

Ah he had 2 good saves. He had the dive to his right late on and had the 1v1 he pounced on earlier in the game.

He also handled corners really well. Had a couple of ones that he caught and had one he punched really well