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By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com
Prior to the 2023/24 campaign, Kelleher had made a total of 21 appearances for Liverpool’s first team in four seasons combined.
But after the second of two injuries for Liverpool’s No. 1 – a hamstring issue that would keep Alisson out for two months – the Irishman’s tally of outings for last season alone stood at 26.
It was by far the most productive season of his career and it felt like a watershed moment.
While before he had found himself behind the talented but unproven Gavin Bazunu at international level, Kelleher was swiftly installed as the Republic of Ireland’s bona fide No. 1.
Similarly, at Liverpool, there was a growing sense that a player who Jürgen Klopp once called “the best No. 2 goalie in the world” could go onto replace Alisson on a full-time basis – if the Brazilian pushed for a move away, as interest from Saudi Arabia loomed.
Kelleher himself made it clear that his ambition was to be first choice, telling reporters after the season’s end: “Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No. 1.”
There has never been agitation for Alisson to be stood down, with the belief maintained among club and supporters alike that he remains the best goalkeeper in world football.
But the hope heading into the summer was that the pecking order would stay as it was with the understanding that Kelleher could perhaps eventually succeed Alisson when the time was right.
That would require Liverpool to reject advances from elsewhere, with Kelleher having opened himself up to offers as he accepted that he may be forced to join another club in order to fulfil his “big ambition.”
To that end, the club kept their side of the bargain, though there had been surprise at Anfield that the most serious offer to present itself was towards the end of the summer transfer window when Nottingham Forest bid a meagre £7 million plus Matt Turner.
However, the writing was on the wall as soon as Liverpool cleared their own payment to Valencia for Georgia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
And with Alisson turning down the chance to join the Saudi Pro League and pledging his ongoing commitment to the Reds, Kelleher’s chances of becoming No. 1 at his current club went from slim to nil.
That adds a new flavour to his upcoming stint in the side, with Alisson again sidelined for an extended period with a recurrence of his hamstring issues.
The 32-year-old – who stands as the most frequently injured goalkeeper in the Premier League – is not expected back until after the November international break, ruling him out of at least seven fixtures.
And with Arne Slot confirming that, despite Vítězslav Jaroš coming off the bench to relieve the injured Alisson in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out, Kelleher remains his second choice, that means it is up to him to fill in.
All being well, Kelleher will start against Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton (twice), Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa.
That would allow his senior goalkeeper to recover in time for the trip to Southampton on November 24 and, more pertinently, the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League three days later.
It is a formidable challenge for Kelleher, though not one he isn’t familiar with, having excelled against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United last season.
This time, though, he has a new motivation: each game between now and the end of the season is effectively a chance for Kelleher to impress those watching on from outside of Liverpool.
Mamardashvili has made it clear that he intends to challenge Alisson for the No. 1 spot when he formally joins the club next summer, and that makes it almost certain that his arrival will coincide with Kelleher’s departure.
But a player of his quality should be aiming higher than the likes of Nottingham Forest, having already proved he is capable of performing at the top level.
There are, in fact, prime examples for Kelleher at the clubs he is now preparing to face.
Robert Sánchez (Chelsea), Péter Gulácsi (Leipzig), David Raya (Arsenal) and Emi Martínez (Aston Villa) all followed an unorthodox route to the top, either via lower leagues or after long stints as backup.
Kelleher should be assured in his ability to do the same, with this run of fixtures giving him the opportunity to show his value in the market to elite clubs next summer – and, more importantly for Liverpool, keep this outstanding start to the season going across all competitions.
(Images from IMAGO)
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