Caoimhin Kelleher Opens Up On Growing Liverpool Frustrations

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Kelleher had hoped to move in the summer for playing time and saw Giorgi Mamardashvili’s signing as confirmation he has no future at Liverpool.

Heading into the summer transfer window, most expected Liverpool backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to depart the club as the 25-year-old had no clear path to playing time behind first choice Alisson Becker and had shown he had too much talent to spend his career as a second choice.

Kelleher had frequently shown promise previously in his time with the Reds, whose academy he joined from Cork local Ringmahon Rangers in 2015, but until 2023-24 he was mostly limited to cup appearances. Last season, an injury to Alisson saw Kelle start 26 games with little drop-off.

In the end, not only did he not get the summer move he was hoping for, but Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia on a delayed deal that will see the Georgian number one and Euro 2024’s standout shot stopper arrive next summer in the presumed succession plan for Alisson.

“I made it clear the last few years I want to be a number one,” Kelleher said to the press ahead of Ireland’s Nations League tie against Greece on Tuesday. “The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper, so it does look like they’ve made a decision to go in another direction.

“My ambition has always been clear. Sometimes from the outside maybe it looks like it is my decision, but it is not always in my hands. Liverpool rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to make the decision, but my ambition is to prove I’m good enough to play week in, week out.”

While some fans may chafe at Kelleher talking publicly about his situation, it’s easy to understand his frustration, particularly following the signing—itself inherently a very public undertaking—of Mamardashvili which sent a strong signal there is zero chance he is in the club’s long-term plans.

For a goalkeeper perceived as good enough to start for at least a mid-table side, having any chance to move on for his career blocked for two summers now and seeing Mamardashvili signed can’t help but feel as if his career aspirations are being thwarted by spreadsheets and upper management.