Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set to replace the injured Alisson for the next two matches. The Irish international has deputised well in the past and Liverpool need him to help maintain their impressive start to the season.
Can Kelleher reliably fill the void left by Alisson? And what will these matches mean for the goalkeeper’s future as he seeks to become a first-choice goalkeeper?
Is Kelleher a Suitable Short-Term Replacement for Alisson?
How Has Kelleher Done in the Past?
Kelleher has always been a reliable backup option for Liverpool. He consistently played in domestic cups and started the 2022 and 2024 EFL Cup finals, which Liverpool won.
Moreover, he attracted attention for his excellent record in penalty shootouts. The 25-year-old has won each of the four penalty shootouts he has participated in, making six saves across them.
However, the Reds now need him to step up in the league. Last season, he started ten league matches after Alisson suffered a hamstring injury.
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He was unbeaten in those ten outings, winning eight, but kept just one clean sheet. Furthermore, Kelleher also conceded four against Manchester United and three against Atalanta, in the FA Cup and Europa League respectively. Both matches were responsible for Liverpool exiting those competitions.
However, his performances are better when one takes a closer look at the stats. In that run last term, he had a post-shot expected goals against of 11.3, compared to only conceding 11 goals, including one own goal.
This proves that Kelleher exceeded expectations as a goalkeeper as he saved more goals than he was expected to. Furthermore, three of these strikes were from corners, which can be attributed to bad marking by defenders.
On the other hand, it is a goalkeeper’s job to marshal the defence effectively at set pieces. Alisson only conceded one extra goal from corners, despite playing 18 more league matches.
What Does This Mean for Kelleher’s Future?
Kelleher’s future has been in doubt ever since Liverpool announced the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili in August. Mamardashvili will link up with the squad next summer, potentially forcing the current number two out of the team.
Right now, the Irishman is focusing on his on-field performances. Should he impress, he could negotiate a transfer to another Premier League side, where he wants to be first-choice.
Kelleher will start the EFL Cup match against West Ham, and is in line to start against Wolves this weekend too. Both sides could be looking for a goalkeeper next summer, providing him with the perfect opportunity to shine.
Fulham could also make a move for Kelleher. They have established themselves as a mid-table team over the last couple of seasons and have an ageing and inconsistent Bernd Leno between the posts.
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Liverpool value Kelleher very highly and will negotiate hard during the transfer window. However, the Reds and others know they’ll be ready to sell, which will play into the negotiations.
For now, Kelleher must make sure that he performs well in the next couple of games. Any major errors could seriously hurt his reputation, but Liverpool will know that they have a safe pair of hands in Alisson’s absence.
