Born in Ireland, 25-year-old goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has made more than 50 appearances for Liverpool’s first team and played a major part in two League Cup titles, despite being held back by the too-high wall of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
This season, with Alisson out injured, the Irish goalkeeper has been in the goalmouth for many games, but is currently only the second best goalkeeper in the world. While transfer rumours are rife for a regular place, no offers have come in for a transfer fee that would convince Liverpool.
Competition will be even fiercer next year when Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joins the club in earnest.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper, who is likely to leave in next summer’s transfer window, is now recognised as one of the Premier League’s best No.2 goalkeepers, but former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman says it is disrespectful to say he is second best
“It’s almost disrespectful saying he’s number two. Of course he plays second in command, when fit, to Alisson. But he’s played too many games now to be associated with that. He’s outstanding when called upon.”
“I think Liverpool have been very fortunate. They have been lucky because he was called upon at a young age and he stood up to it straight away, because if he was 25 and now he’d be 28, then they’d have big problems and they’d have to let him go. But because he jumped into the team at 21 and got ahead of Adrian, they’ve allowed him to flourish.”
“The problem is going to be next summer. They’ve bought Mamardashvili, he is going to join the club next year and he won’t be a number two, Alisson won’t be and he (Kelleher) certainly can’t be because he’s too good. That’s when decisions will have to be made.”
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