Caoimhin Kelleher had an impressive season for Liverpool, showcasing his quality as a goalkeeper. He had his busiest season yet, making 26 appearances across all competitions. This was a significant increase from his previous seasons, where he only made a handful of appearances. Kelleher was thrust into the spotlight due to injuries to Alisson, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper. Initially, he struggled to settle into the team, but gradually improved and found his rhythm.
Despite being a backup goalkeeper, Kelleher proved himself to be Premier League quality. His performances caught the attention of teams in need of a new number one goalkeeper. However, Liverpool recognizes the importance of having a quality backup and will try to convince Kelleher to stay.
One of Kelleher’s standout moments came in the Carabao Cup final, where he played every minute of every game as Liverpool lifted the trophy. In that final, he faced a high expected goals on target (XGOT) of 2.63 but made nine saves and kept a clean sheet. Overall, Kelleher has played a significant role in three trophy wins for Liverpool.
While Liverpool would prefer to retain Kelleher as their backup goalkeeper, he has openly admitted that he may seek first-team football elsewhere. At 26 years old, he is entering his prime goalkeeper years and wants regular playing time to push for the number one spot for Ireland. Alisson is still relatively young for a goalkeeper at 31 and has a long-term contract with Liverpool. This leaves Liverpool with the difficult task of either convincing Kelleher to stay or finding a new backup goalkeeper of the same quality.
In the upcoming season, Kelleher is likely to remain as Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper if he chooses to stay. He has proven himself capable in that role and will provide valuable support to Alisson. However, his future at the club remains uncertain, and Liverpool will need to address the goalkeeper position accordingly.