5 months ago
102 
Following an extended run in place of the injured Alisson, Liverpool backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher says starting every week is his priority.
In Alisson Becker, Liverpool have arguably the best goalkeeper in all of football. In Caoimhin Kelleher, there’s at least as strong a case they have the world’s best backup—and a player more than capable of starting for a Premier League side.
In the 2023-24 season, Kelleher had a chance to prove just that, filling in for the injured Alisson for an extended run in 2024 and playing a total of 26 games across all competitions last season while winning the Reds their tenth League Cup.
Now 25 years old, and with the possibility of a move in search of regular playing time having already been a story last summer, the question again is what comes next for the Irish stopper. And realistically, what comes next is probably a move.
“It was the first time in my career that I’d had a spell like that and I loved it,” Kelleher said of the past season. “I thrived on it. I’d been waiting for a moment like that. It was a massive opportunity for me to be Liverpool’s number one for that long.
“It was my time to show the level I can perform at and the level people at the club think I’m able to play at. I proved I’m good enough to play in the Premier League—I’m comfortable there. I’ve always had that belief. Proving it was satisfying.”
It sets up a potentially difficult situation for Liverpool given number one Alisson, while quite possibly being the best in the world, has tended to miss around a month most seasons with injury—meaning the club need a high calibre backup.
For Kelleher, though, 2023-24 proved what many had said about him. Namely, that he is good enough to start regularly for a Premier League side. And as much as anyone, he knows that means he probably now needs to move on.
“Playing against Man City was another big one,” he added. “You’re not going to play in a more high-profile game than that and I thought I did really well. I got the taste for it and I want to do it all the time. My main ambition is to be a number one.
“It would be great if that happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years. I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool. It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved.
“I love the club, I love the fans, and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a number one.”
