Caoimhin Kelleher‘s finest and busiest season but for Liverpool confirmed his high quality, however left acquainted questions on his future.
Kelleher enters the summer time break, and certainly the summer time switch market, on the again of what was his most lively season as a first-team goalkeeper.
He proved himself Premier League high quality at a minimal, and any groups on the lookout for a brand new No. 1 goalkeeper this summer time will little question have their eye on the Corkman.
The brand new setup at Liverpool will recognise the significance of high quality backup between the posts and can attempt, as soon as once more, to persuade him to remain.
Caoimhin Kelleher, 2023/24
Began: 26 (All competitions)
On as an alternative: 0
Unused sub: 30
Objectives: 0
Assists: 0
Total Season Ranking: 8.07
Settling in
Previous to 2023/24, Kelleher had by no means made greater than two appearances in a Premier League season and solely made one in 2022/23.
Two accidents to Alisson meant that this season the Irishman turned Liverpool’s non permanent No. 1 on two events.
It took him a while to settle in league video games for a workforce that was anticipated to win each recreation during which it performed and problem for the title.
He was deemed to be at fault for a few the objectives conceded in a 4-3 win at house to Fulham in his first recreation, however regularly improved and located his toes.
Alisson returned for a short while as Kelleher continued to play within the cups earlier than a second harm to the Brazilian gave him a run of eight league video games to go together with appearances within the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
His marketing campaign completed with 26 appearances, 3.25 instances his earlier profession better of eight in 2021/22.
It was his first style of what it felt prefer to be Liverpool’s No. 1, and he didn’t look misplaced with such a standing.
Confirmed cup winner
Maybe one of many greatest compliments you may give Kelleher is to level out that Liverpool didn’t look significantly better when Alisson returned in the direction of the tip of the season.
If something, Kelleher dropping again to the bench coincided with the workforce dropping off within the title race.
That’s to not say they might have undoubtedly been higher off conserving Kelleher within the workforce — sustaining the familiarity that had constructed within the defence throughout an unbeaten league run of eight video games, that includes six wins, in his presence — however on the identical time, it’s not a considered discarded fully.
Kelleher was the mainstay within the facet that lifted the Carabao Cup, enjoying each minute of each recreation as Liverpool lifted what was to be their closing trophy beneath Jurgen Klopp.
In that closing alone, he confronted an XGOT of two.63 and nonetheless made 9 saves and saved a clear sheet.
Whereas he was a part of the disappointing loss to Man United within the FA Cup and the heavy defeat to Atalanta within the disastrous Europa League quarter-final first leg, he’s already performed an element in three trophy wins for Liverpool, together with a giant half in League Cup triumphs each within the season simply gone and in 2022.
Completely satisfied backup?
Whereas Liverpool would hope to retain one in every of the most effective backup ‘keepers round, Kelleher has overtly admitted he might search first-team soccer elsewhere.
Alisson remains to be solely 31 – comparatively younger for a goalkeeper – and his contract runs till the tip of the 2026/27 season.
Kelleher turns 26 this season and is coming into prime goalkeeper years. He has now had a run as Liverpool’s first selection and a style of what it’s prefer to be the primary man.
Ought to he stick round in case Alisson has comparable harm issues within the coming years, or transfer elsewhere the place he may be the common No. 1?
He may also need common soccer as a way to push for the No. 1 shirt for Eire.
Liverpool are unlikely to half methods with Alisson, as may occur at Man Metropolis with Ederson following the spectacular shows from their very own high quality backup, Stefan Ortega.
So this leaves Slot and his employees with the duty of both convincing Kelleher to remain or discovering a brand new backup goalkeeper of the identical high quality, which wouldn’t be a straightforward activity.
Greatest second: League Cup closing, made one very important save after one other.
Worst second: Atalanta’s go to to Anfield.
Function subsequent season: He’ll stay the backup ought to he select to remain.
