There was never a moment when Caoimhin Kelleher’s resolve waned.
Perhaps that’s not a surprise for a man who has such a storied record when it comes to holding his nerve in penalty shootouts — but with the end of the 2024/25 season in sight, and another Premier League winners’ medal set to be added to the Irishman’s impressive haul, Kelleher was adamant: this would be his last as a Liverpool player.
For a boyhood Red, this was a momentous departure, and his first move since leaving Cork as a diminutive 16-year-old. In truth, it was a simple decision. Kelleher knew this was the right time to move on.
After five years as Alisson’s understudy, the goalkeeper was ready to forge his own path.
There was no shortage of interest, with many Premier League clubs looking for a new stopper over the summer. But before most had a chance to make serious inquiries, Brentford had muscled its way to the front of the queue.
The circumstances for a transfer were perfect, and before the end-of-season internationals had even begun, Kelleher had signed on the dotted line at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Nearly four months later, and on Saturday, he will come up against Liverpool for the first time in his career. Even for the unflappable Kelleher, it’s a prospect that will surely cause even a faint jolt of nervousness.
But there will also be a steely resolve from a keeper determined to prove he’s more than just the Premier League’s best deputy.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher playing for Brentford
Kelleher joined Brentford in the summer for a fee potentially rising to $24 million (Image: Getty Images)
Perfect timing
Kelleher’s desire to leave Liverpool had taken root long before Arne Slot arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2024. In fact, a departure within weeks of his appointment was a distinct possibility.
A bid from Nottingham Forest tested the water, but fell well short of Liverpool’s valuation. Kelleher was open to the move but accepted the club’s decision to reject it. Instead, Forest focused its attention on Matz Sels, and Kelleher on another season at Liverpool.
But from the moment Giorgi Mamardashvili’s signing was confirmed, there was an acceptance that the 2024/25 campaign would be Kelleher’s last at Liverpool. Moreover, club officials also understood that in the season the keeper turned 26, it was time he was allowed to spread his wings.
Kelleher didn’t hide his desire to play regular minutes, even hinting publicly at his next steps. He approached the situation with an open, candid perspective, explaining his reasons in a manner that Liverpool understood. “He never caused a moment’s bother,” one source told Liverpool.com.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates with Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Slot grudgingly knew Kelleher had to leave Liverpool last summer (Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Such was his situation, as Kelleher entered the final two years of his contract, no attempts were made to renew his terms. Everyone knew the direction of travel.
“Maybe a goalkeeper is an exception, but in general, I don't think it's a healthy situation for a player to be on the bench longer than a year, or miss out on many games in a year, and then go into the next season,” Slot said when asked about Kelleher ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Gtech.
“It's so hard for them to keep giving everything on a daily basis. For Caoim, he did this for so many years that he felt it was time for him to start playing. He's shown that he's right, because he does really well.”
The summer of 2025 also offered Liverpool a final opportunity to cash in on the player, and before the end of the campaign, Brentford’s interest was well known, as was the likely summer departure of then goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford celebrates team mate Mathias Jensen (not pictured) scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Kelleher replaced Mark Flekken after his two-year stint at the club (Image: Getty Images)
In a sense, the stars aligned as Brentford’s need for a new No. 1 emerged just as Liverpool was willing to sell. Rarely does a transfer suit all parties so well.
Yet, it was a deal that could have been struck years earlier. Liverpool.com understands the Bees considered signing Kelleher in 2023 when David Raya left to join Arsenal, but felt he wasn’t quite ready. Having kept tabs on the Irish international for two years, there was no doubting his credentials last summer. Kelleher was seen as the primary target from an early stage.
That Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes has fostered good relationships with Brentford’s Phil Giles and Lee Dykes, Brentford’s Director of Football and Technical Director, helped smooth negotiations.
Liverpool had expected a plethora of offers for Kelleher. Still, despite the ubiquity of interest, no other Premier League sides were in a position to make a bid at the beginning of June. That’s despite several club executives messaging counterparts at Brentford to express their grudging admiration after the deal was concluded. Chelsea, Manchester United, Leeds United, West Ham United, and Aston Villa were linked, but were not forthcoming with an offer after the Bees approached Liverpool.
The Premier League champions did not make unfair demands, allowing Kelleher to leave for a modest fee of £12.5 million ($16.6M), potentially rising to £18M ($24M). Again, this was seen as a sign of gratitude to a player who selflessly sacrificed so many years of his career for the Reds’ benefit. Finding the right home mattered more than maximising the fee. Had Liverpool stalled, other parties would undoubtedly have come forward, most likely driving up the price.
A youthful Kelleher playing for Ringmahon Rangers
A youthful Kelleher playing for Ringmahon Rangers
An even more remarkable element of the transfer was the 20 percent Kelleher’s previous club, Ringmahnon Rangers, pocketed from the deal. The first instalment of that fee has since been paid into the Cork team’s bank account, but no plans are yet in place as to how it will be spent.
As for Kelleher, he was keen on the deal and was convinced by Brentford’s presentation, which outlined the importance of having a goalkeeper who is comfortable using his feet. However, seen as even more vital was Kelleher’s shot-stopping ability, with only the three relegated sides facing more shots on target last season than the Bees, while no keeper made more saves than Flekken in the league.
Brentford believed Kelleher could seamlessly fill the void left by the Dutchman's move to Leverkusen — a view strengthened by his composed performances deputizing for Alisson. Rarely did Liverpool look weaker when the stand-in keeper was called upon.
Therefore, it was no surprise that Kelleher’s transfer was ratified so quickly, just nine days after the final round of matches in the 2024/25 season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 01: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota and Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool during a training session on August 01, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Kelleher was among Diogo Jota's closest friends in the Liverpool locker room (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
New surroundings
The phrases “nightmare start” or “worst possible beginning” can be bandied about after a transfer, but for Kelleher, a costly fumble would feel immaterial compared to the traumatic summer he faced.
The Irishman was one of just two Liverpool teammates who attended Diogo Jota’s wedding in June, just 11 days before his tragic passing. It meant Kelleher began his time at Brentford dealing with unimaginable grief.
“He's going to be a big miss,” the 26-year-old said in September. “I've lost a huge friend, so it's been difficult, as you'd imagine.”
Brentford staff offered the new signing unwavering support in those first weeks, all while the club was undergoing a major personnel shift. Thomas Frank’s decision to join Tottenham Hotspur as head coach meant the sense of stability at the Gtech had quickly abated since Kelleher had signed for the club.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank is believed to want new recruits in two key positions in the remainder of this transfer window
Thomas Frank's decision to join Tottenham left Kelleher with an uncertain start at Brentford
The Dane had played a pivotal role in convincing the keeper to choose Brentford, yet suddenly, there was uncertainty over who would be in charge for the upcoming season. Thankfully for Kelleher, he was well acquainted with Frank’s replacement, having previously worked with Keith Andrews at the international level.
The appointment helped soothe any nerves at a difficult time, while a close bond with Republic of Ireland teammate Nathan Collins has also helped him settle, in addition to the presence of three ex-Liverpool players in Sepp van den Berg, Fabio Carvalho, and Jordan Henderson.
Kelleher is understood to have enjoyed his first few months in London after a decade living on Merseyside, but there are no concerns about him being swept up by the capital’s bright lights.
While outgoing and popular, Brentford were convinced to complete a deal by reports they heard of Kelleher as a grounded, family-oriented professional.
Senior figures are known to be delighted with his impact on and off the field in these first few months. At 26, there’s also an internal belief that Kelleher can still improve. Now the challenge is dealing with the weekly pressure to be relied upon by teammates, coaches, and fans.
But Brentford has established a reputation for showing patience and allowing players to flourish.
“We respect that there is a journey and sometimes you can't go from 0 to 60 in two seconds,” explained Billy Grant from the Beesotted Podcast.
“We've been here before with Brentford; they get these players who they look to develop over a period of time. Now you can see how players develop: Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, and Bryan Mbuemo, who were signed for just a few million.
“So Brentford fans are actually quite patient. We know players will make mistakes, and it can be a little bit frustrating at times, but fans know these players are going to come good.”
Thankfully, supporters have had little to worry about regarding Kelleher. After keeping a clean sheet on his second appearance for the club — in the 1-0 win over Villa — the keeper made several excellent saves in the Bees’ victory against Manchester United last month. Preventing Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot in a World Cup qualifier earlier this month also helped his reputation.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 11: Caoimhin Kelleher of Republic of Ireland reacts after the missed penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on October 11, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Kelleher saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this month (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool will hope such heroics aren’t on display at the Gtech on Saturday, a match in which Kelleher will actively want the Reds to lose for the first time in his life.
Given the sensitivities around Jota’s passing, it will be an emotional occasion for Kelleher, who last saw many former teammates at the funeral in Portugal.
But it will also represent a proud moment for Kelleher, who will receive a warm reception from the away supporters.
Not many who push for an exit are afforded such a luxury, but the manner in which Kelleher conducted himself during his time at Liverpool means he remains a universally popular figure within all areas of the club.
As he stands in goal against Liverpool, the club that shaped him, Kelleher will once again rely on that unflappable resolve — the same trait that made him the Reds’ most trusted deputy, and now, Brentford’s No. 1.