How Caoimhin Kelleher became Liverpool’s penalty hero and why he now needs to leave

Unlucky timing seems to be a common theme at Anfield this season.

While Jurgen Klopp will be sat in Mallorca toasting to Arne Slot’s seamless transition at Liverpool, one can still imagine the inkling of regret the German feels around the fact his great rival Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have imploded the second he walked away.

The feeling could be extended to Carlo Ancelotti’s great Real Madrid side, who look a shadow of their former selves. If not for the 15-time European champions – who beat them in two finals – and Guardiola’s City, Klopp’s trophy cabinet would have been much more packed.

And timing is also something that might come to pester the mind of Caoimhin Kelleher when he hangs up his gloves in a decade or so. In any other era, he might well be the Liverpool No 1 for many years to come.

But he is not because the bloke he shares a team and position with, Alisson Becker, happens to be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League — and perhaps world. Sorry Emi Martinez, the only keepers who run Alisson close are Thibaut Courtois and David Raya.

Kelleher made a special intervention on Wednesday night to thwart Galactico Kylian Mbappe from the penalty spot. He has been the hero in several domestic cup finals but, as an individual moment, this may be the most memorable.

His penalty save against Kylian Mbappe might be his most memorable moment for the Reds

But in truth he could play perfect 10 times in a row and not displace Alisson when he is back fit 

Indeed, the best compliment one can pay the Irishman is that when he plays a run of games in the side, it is easy to forget Alisson is not around. That is not to say he is better – Slot does not think this either – but Liverpool believe they have the best No 2 in the Premier League.

It is hard to argue with that. Stefan Ortega is the only other back-up keeper with a realistic shout for this tag. But what the pair both have in common is the fact that, whatever they do, they know their place in the pecking order is extremely unlikely to change.

Ortega, for example, made a fantastic save against Son Heung-min last season that helped to swing the title in his team’s direction – only to be replaced by Ederson when he was fit again. Kelleher could put in 10 perfect displays in a row but would not nudge out Alisson.

It must be a strange existence. It is worth saying that Kelleher is fully respectful of the fact he is No 2 – even though he was keen to move on this summer. It is understood Liverpool would not stand in his way should he ask to leave after this season – if the price was right.

Slot said yesterday: ‘Caoimh has accepted his role from the start of the season until now in a great way. It is far too early to talk about what would happen next season. I want every player to want to play every game. Eagerness to play but, if they don’t, they should act in a normal way.’

Nottingham Forest offered £7million plus Matt Turner in a swap deal in August but this was laughed at by Liverpool, who were demanding £25m at the very least for the 26-year-old. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men also tried to sign him in January but their offer was rejected.

Liverpool believed then – as they still will now – that they were vindicated for standing firm as Kelleher has played more than any other ‘No 2’ in the league. This season, he has played more minutes than Alisson – and his 26 appearances last term were only six behind the Brazilian.

The elephant in the room is that, even when 32-year-old Alisson leaves, Liverpool have an agreement to sign Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili next summer. Georgia assistant manager David Webb told Mail Sport the Valencia keeper was ‘one of the best in the world’.

Arne Slot has been clear with the Irishman about his squad status and he has accepted that

However, after winning trophies and covering impeccably, it is clear he could be a No 1 elsewhere

The arrival of Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili next summer will complicate matters

Those words came as a shock in a conversation in June but were thoroughly backed up with Georgia’s heroic Euro 2024 campaign where Mamardashvili was the standout performer. At a base £29m, he looks like a bargain. Kelleher, though, was left frustrated.

‘I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,’ he said in September. ‘The club’s got another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve made a decision to go in a different direction.’

Kelleher has asked Alisson for advice when the No 1 is out – his fitness record in the last 18 months has been worrying – but he believes in his own ability. Despite an overhaul of coaches in the summer, former World Cup winner Claudio Taffarel, a big ally of Alisson, stayed put.

Slot did recruit a new head of goalkeeping, though, in poaching Fabian Otte from the United States national team. The German has written a PHD in goalkeeping and has used noise-cancelling headphones and goggles which limit peripheral vision in training.

He needs no qualifications or whacky methods to see the class his department possesses, though, which also includes Vitek Jaros – who won an Austrian league and cup double at Sturm Graz last year on loan – and former Crewe Alexandra loanee Harvey Davies.

Of goalkeepers to play more than five games this season, only three men have a better save percentage than Kelleher, who has stopped 73.9 per cent of shots he has faced. That is Nick Pope (78.0), Robert Sanchez (74.9) and, you guessed it, Alisson on a whopping 88 per cent.

Kelleher became the first player in 115 years to save penalties in back-to-back games for Liverpool, following in the foot-steps of the wonderfully named Augustus Beeby in 1909 according to Opta statistician Michael Reid.

‘Caoimh is cool as ice,’ long-serving Liverpool goalkeeper coach John Achterberg said last year. ‘He can play left foot, right foot, his speed reactions are crazy and he reads the game so well. Those kinds of goalies are very expensive if you want to sign one.

Kelleher has progressed well under the guidance of Brazil legend Claudio Taffarel 

Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega is the only other Premier League goalkeeper in with a shout of saying he is the best number two 

Kelleher is unfortunate to be competing against Alisson, arguably the world’s best goalkeeper 

‘Liverpool are lucky enough to have two. I don’t think they have had a better group of goalies in the club’s history. To have a No 1 and a No 2 who can play at such a level is crazy. Caoimh has learned so much from working with Ali over the years.’

The Cork-born shotstopper is the pride of his youth club Ringmahon Rangers and, after winning the Carabao Cup last season, he posted a shirt to them with a note from Klopp which read: ‘To everyone at Ringmahon Rangers. Thank you for sending us Caoimhin. He’s done you proud.’

He is now doing the whole of Ireland proud and has made the No 1 jersey his own for the national team after a battle with Gavin Bazunu – also saving a penalty for them recently. Now it feels like it is time to stamp his authority on the No 1 at club level. Any takers?