Caomhin Kelleher feels No.1 for the first time – where does that leave Liverpool? – Liverpool FC

Caoimhin Kelleher’s best and busiest season for Liverpool so far has shown his quality but left familiar questions about his future.

Kelleher enters the summer break, and indeed the summer transfer market, after his most active season as a first-team goalkeeper.

He has proven his quality in the Premier League at the minimum, and any teams looking for a new No.1 goalkeeper this summer will no doubt be eyeing the Corkman.

The new set-up at Liverpool will recognize the importance of quality support between the positions and will try, once again, to convince him to stay.

Accommodation

Prior to the 2023/24 season, Kelleher had never made more than two appearances in a Premier League season, and just one in the 2022/23 season.

Two injuries to Alisson have meant that the Irishman has become Liverpool’s interim No.1 on two occasions this season.

It took him a while to settle into the league games for a team that was expected to win every game he played in and challenge for the title.

He was thought to be at fault for a couple of goals conceded in the 4-3 home win against Fulham in his first game, but gradually improved and found his feet.

Alisson returned briefly while Kelleher continued to play in the cups before the Brazilian’s second injury saw him go on a run of eight league games that followed appearances in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League.

His campaign ended with 26 appearances, 3.25 times more than his previous career best of eight in 2021/22.

It was his first taste of what it’s like to be Liverpool’s No.1, and he didn’t look out of place with the status.

Proven cup winner

Perhaps one of the highest compliments you can pay Kelleher is to point out that Liverpool didn’t look much better when Alisson returned towards the end of the season.

If anything, Kelleher’s return to the bench coincided with the team falling short in the title race.

That’s not to say they’d definitely be better off keeping Kelleher on the team — maintaining the closeness that was built on defense during an eight-game, six-game unbeaten streak in his presence — but at the same time, it’s not a thought that should completely reject.

Kelleher was a mainstay in the side that lifted the Carabao Cup, playing every minute of every game as Liverpool lifted what was to be their final trophy under Jurgen Klopp.

In that final alone, he faced an XGOT of 2.63 and still made nine saves and kept a clean sheet.

Although he was part of the disappointing defeat to Man United in the FA Cup and the heavy loss to Atalanta in the disastrous first leg of the Europa League quarter-final, he has already played a part in three wins for Liverpool, including a big part in the League. The Triumph Cup last season and in 2022.

Happy backup?

While Liverpool would be hoping to keep hold of one of the top back-up keepers, Kelleher has openly admitted he could look elsewhere for a first-team berth.

Alisson is still only 31 – relatively young for a goalkeeper – and is under contract until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Kelleher turns 26 this season and is entering his best goalkeeping years. He now had a run as Liverpool’s first choice and got a taste of what it’s like to be the main man.

Should he stick around in case Alisson has similar injury problems in the coming years, or should he move somewhere else where he can be a regular No.1?

He will also want regular football to push for the Ireland No.1 shirt.

Liverpool are unlikely to part ways with Alisson, as could happen at Man City with Ederson after impressive displays from their quality back-up, Stefan Ortega.

So this leaves Slott and his staff with the task of either convincing Kelleher to stay or finding a new backup goaltender of the same quality, which would be no easy task.

Best moment: League Cup final, made one vital save after another.

Worst moment: Atalanta’s visit to Anfield.

Role next season: He will remain a backup if he chooses to stay.