Everton’s Jake O’Brein has backed Caoimhin Kelleher to prove he has the quality needed to be a starting Premier League goalkeeper.
The Liverpool stopper is on the verge of completing a move to Brentford after a transfer fee of up to £18million ($24M) was agreed between the clubs over the weekend. Kelleher spent Monday undergoing his medical at the Bees’ training ground and was granted permission to leave the Republic of Ireland camp temporarily.
The 26-year-old has been Alisson’s back-up for five years but has regularly impressed when thrust into the spotlight. That has been particularly apt in the cups, with Kelleher playing a pivotal role in two Carabao Cup triumphs and the 2022 FA Cup success.
With Giorgi Mamardashvili set to arrive at Anfield this summer and push Liverpool’s deputy further down the pecking order, Kelleher has been outspoken about his desire to move on and become an established No.1 elsewhere.
That wish is set to be granted, and now Kelleher will, for the first time in his career, face the pressures of being first choice at a Premier League club. His international teammate, and cross-city rival on Merseyside, feels that won’t be a challenge for the Liverpool academy product.
“If the move goes through, it's great for him to become a No. 1 in the Premier League,” O’Brein said at a press conference on Monday.
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to join Brentford
(Image: GETTY)
“I think everyone knows how good he is and how high his ceiling is. He can push on and do great things.
“It doesn’t take for me to say how good he is - everyone knows how good he is and what he’s achieved over the last couple of years,” the Everton defender added. “It was a difficult one because he was No. 2 at Liverpool but got a really good keeper ahead of him.
“He’s definitely up there with the keepers in the Premier League and I think next season he’ll show that, that he’s up there with the best.
“I think he’s proven from the games played for Liverpool that he can be up there with some of the best keepers in the league.”
Caoimhin Kelleher confirmed he is looking to leave Liverpool this summer
Kelleher will leave Liverpool as a Premier League title winner.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has been outspoken in his desire for Kelleher to be the starting keeper elsewhere, stating he is “too good” to play a backup role.
Kelleher has made 67 appearances for Liverpool, including 20 this season under Arne Slot, but April’s 3-2 loss to Fulham seems to be his final match for the club.
As for Ireland, it faces Senegal and Luxembourg over June’s double header of international fixtures.