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.
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.
Last edited by Snapshot; 19/12/2024 at 1:34 PM. Reason: Happy Christmas.
Go Coillte Mach rachad / ní stopfaidh me choíche /
Go seasfaidh mé síos / i lár Chondae Mhaigh Eo.
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.
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
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.
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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