The three big reasons why Caoimhin Kelleher should stay with Liverpool rather than leave for Celtic

THE JOHN O’SHEA FACTOR

There used to be this argument about John O’Shea and his bit-part status at Manchester United. The implication being that he was wasting his time at Old Trafford.

John Giles even dedicated a page of his memoirs to it, wondering in print why O’Shea didn’t leave to become a regular someplace else.

Except the perception and the reality didn’t mix. After making his breakthrough in the 2002/03 season, O’Shea clocked up 52 appearances in his first year as a United first-teamer, then 49 the next season, then 37, 47, 49, 38, 54, 19 and 32 in his seven subsequent seasons at Old Trafford.

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And that’s before we mention the fact he won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two Football League Cups, four Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Champions League.

Eventually he left, joining Sunderland, becoming a ‘regular starter’. But in seven years at the Stadium of Light he won no medals. Still at least he was getting first-time football, the argument went.

And that was true. He played 34 times in his first year on Wearside, 36 in his second, then 42, 43, 31, 30 and 40 in the following seasons. The point is that his busiest season in Sunderland would rank only sixth in terms of appearances in his Old Trafford years.

You might ask what has this got to do with Caoimhin Kelleher?

And the answer is everything.

At Anfield, Kelleher has a chance of winning things. If he were to leave, say to Nottingham Forest, who were interested in him a year ago, or to Fulham, Brighton or Bournemouth, the only thing he’ll ever stand a chance of winning is respect.

Those clubs rarely play in Europe, and only now and then put together a decent cup run, meaning they average 42 games per year. In contrast, Liverpool played 58 times last year, on 52 occasions the season before, 63 the year before that and 53 times in 2020/21.

Throw in the fact that Allison Becker has missed a combined total of 42 weeks since January 2020 and is now 32, moving beyond his prime, and you can see why there is a genuine reason for Caoimhin Kelleher to stay rather than leave Anfield.

Plus look at the facts: Kelleher has played 10 games for Liverpool this year, Alisson eight. Last year the Brazilian featured 32 times, Kelleher 26. Bear in mind that the year before, it was 47-4 in Alisson’s favour in terms of appearances. Not too long ago it appeared as if Kelleher was marooned. Now the tide has turned.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Alisson Becker of Liverpool and Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool interact prior to the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

WHAT BETTER OPTIONS ARE OUT THERE?

The rumour mill is always busy when it comes to Kelleher.

A year ago, it was Nottingham Forest who wanted him. Then in the summer it was Celtic. Now it is Chelsea who are supposedly keen.

But let’s look at this coldly. Forest are having a fine season by their standards but in terms of turnover, they change coaches and players on an alarming rate, Chelsea being their southern cousins.

Then there’s Celtic. Like Liverpool they’re a big club. Unlike Liverpool, they rarely play against big clubs. This year, Kelleher has played against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa and Southampton.

With Celtic, he’d get Champions League exposure but would also get St Mirren, St Johnstone, Ross County and Kilmarnock - the football equivalent of a Michelin Star meal washed down with a bottle of Buckfast.

Here’s Dermot O’Neill, Kelleher’s former goalkeeping coach: “The stats will tell you that things have changed for Caoimhin at Liverpool. Like, a few years ago, I would have suggested that he would be better leaving to get first-team football.

“But he’s getting loads of exposure now. To play more games this season than Alisson is some achievement. Plus look what he is up against: Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid.

“Should he stay? I know Liverpool have signed a new goalkeeper for next season but in my eyes Caoimhin is better than Giorgi Mamardashvili. If it was a case of apples for apples, Caoimhin up against Becker, I’d suggest he stay because the Brazilian isn’t getting younger, whereas Caoimhin is coming into his prime. Caoimhin has a good injury record, Becker does not.

“And the other thing is that he is way better than a lower half Premier League goalkeeper. If he was to go, I’d want to see him play for Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, that level of club. Not a Nottingham Forest, and no disrespect to them. He’s better than that.”

(Image: PA)

THE CHARACTER TO BE NUMBER ONE

Dermot O’Neill worked with Kelleher at youth level and got up close and personal to see what made the guy tick.

And the answer was his calmness under pressure.

“You could say to Caoimhin, you are lining out for Real Madrid on Tuesday, Ringmahon Rangers on Wednesday, and he’d reply: ‘ok then, that’s grand’.

“He never gets too high nor too low. He’s confident but humble. His brother, who is also a professional footballer, is the exact same. Clearly they were brought up well. They’re respectful, quiet and unassuming.

“I remember a time we were in Albania with the Ireland underage team. The wifi didn’t work in the hotel rooms, only in the lobby. Some moaned about that. Not Caoimhin. He calmly strolled down to the reception area, stuck his earphones in and watched a film on Netflix.

“Then, film over, he said goodnight to all of us coaches and went back up to his room.

“He has immense confidence in his own ability, but he knows his roots, has seen the other side of life. He believes he is good enough to be Liverpool’s No1.

“And look at what he is doing. He has saved four penalties in four games (albeit one was rebounded in). The save from Mbappe, I imagine, came from him doing his homework because that is the type of lad he is.

"But the save also stemmed from him having great reflexes and anticipation skills. He was an incredible talent as a teenager and the thing is he is fulfilling that talent now. Ireland are lucky to have him.”

So too are Liverpool.

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