Caoimhin Kelleher has outgrown his role as a back-up goalkeeper - and that is evidenced by his legacy at a club as big as Liverpool.
Few number twos generate the kind of scramble that we are set to see this summer when the Corkman’s 10-year spell at Anfield comes to an end.
But then again, Kelleher is no ordinary sub keeper - he is, according to many in the football world, the best number two goalkeeper in the world.
Jurgen Klopp was the first to say it after Kelleher’s penalty shootout heroics in the 2022 League Cup final win against Chelsea, when he both scored and saved from the spot.
Since then, others have jumped on that particular bandwagon - with pundits and former players lavishing the Ireland international with the kind of praise that could be seen as both a blessing and a curse.
It’s a label that he is desperate to shake off and one that should be behind him after this summer’s transfer window.
Even as far back as 12 months ago he was saying: “I feel like I’ve done my years as a number two. The ambition now is to be a number one. I am ready and capable.”
Nottingham Forest were alerted by that declaration and made several attempts late in the summer transfer window to sign the former Ringmahon Rangers man.
Liverpool held firm at the time - and it’s a good job they did.
Kelleher clocked up 20 first-team appearances this season, including 10 in the Premier League, as Alisson suffered with hamstring problems and concussion.
But with Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way to Anfield from Valencia, Kelleher appears to have hit the high water mark in terms of his Liverpool career - and that means Forest, Leeds United, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Celtic, West Ham and Newcastle can finally get their cheque books out.
Until then, he will have to make do with the ‘best number two’ tag - something that has been acknowledged by a host of stars…
Jurgen Klopp: “For me, Caoimhín Kelleher is the best number-two goalie in the world.”
Steve McManaman (speaking on punditry duty when Kelleher kept the second of his nine clean sheets this season, in Liverpool’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig last October): “It’s almost disrespectful saying he’s a number two.”
John Arne Riise: “Liverpool have the best number two in the world.”
Chris Sutton: “I think that he’s certainly proven himself, probably one of the best backup keepers, if not the best backup keeper I think I’ve ever seen in the Premier League and he won’t want to hang around at Liverpool next season I suspect.”
David Seaman: “It’s the sign of a fantastic number two that Caoimhin Kelleher can come in and play his game right from the off. He doesn’t need time to get settled in or anything like that – he’s making big saves all the time. He’s the perfect number two.”
Clinton Morrison: “He’s the best number two in the world. Literally, he is the best number two in the world. I think a lot of clubs wanted to sign him in January, obviously Alisson picked up that injury, and it’s hard as a player but he is at one of the best football clubs. But he is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has been brilliant since he got into the first-team.”
Kevin Doyle: "I think in five or six years he is going to be in the top one or two goalkeepers in the world. He's that good at everything he does. He has got everything in the locker. He ticks every box. If he can get himself playing I feel he's going to be the top man."
John Aldridge: “Caoimhin Kelleher has been magnificent and I actually think Arne Slot has got a really big decision to make in the next few weeks. Once Alisson is fit, I don’t think it's fair if Kelleher gets demoted to the bench. I think he's been absolutely first-class. He's been faultless with everything he has done in the games, and I think \[Alisson\] will be looking at it and be embarrassed if he went back in because he's done such a good job.”
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