Caoimhin Kelleher enjoying within the Premier League for Liverpool. (Photograph by Dan Istitene/Getty Photographs)
Caoimhin Kelleher proved as soon as once more on Wednesday night time precisely why he shouldn’t be a back-up goalkeeper.
The 26-year-old has performed second fiddle to Alisson Becker between the sticks at Anfield for years now. Nonetheless, accidents to the Brazilian have meant Kelleher has loved prolonged minutes over the previous two seasons, enjoying 36 occasions because the begin of 2023/24 up to now.
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Kelleher has made essentially the most of his alternatives, handing over a sequence of eye-catching shows which have led to hypothesis that he might depart Liverpool quickly in the hunt for a deserved No.1 jersey.
These rumours solely gathered tempo following the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will arrive at Anfield when his mortgage again at Valencia ends in the summertime.
The headlines will probably go into overdrive now after Kelleher saved a penalty from none aside from Kylian Mbappe in Liverpool’s titanic Champions League conflict with holders Actual Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night time.
As famous by Squawka, Kelleher has now saved three of the 4 penalties he’s confronted for Liverpool in all competitions (excluding shootouts), which additionally features a penalty save in opposition to Southampton on Sunday.
What’s extra, per BBC Sport, Kelleher additionally holds the document for the variety of penalties saved for Liverpool in shootouts.
Ought to Caoimhin Kelleher be a No.1 goalkeeper?
Kelleher won’t be in need of presents in the summertime if he can not completely dislodge Alisson.
His efficiency in opposition to Actual Madrid on Wednesday outlined for a lot of why Kelleher needs to be a No.1 goalkeeper at a high membership; together with for ex-Liverpool and Actual Madrid winger Steve McManaman.
“Kelleher is doing improbable. Each time he’s referred to as upon, he stands up,” McManaman stated after the penalty save. He added: “He’s an absolute celebrity in his personal proper. He’s not a quantity two. He’s an equal primary. He’s improbable.”