Republic of Ireland assistant manager John O’Shea has praised Caoimhin Kelleher’s impact for Liverpool on the day his transfer to Brentford was confirmed.
The goalkeeper completed a move to the Bees for an initial £12.5million ($17M) that could rise to £18M ($24M) in add-ons. Currently on international duty, Kelleher was granted permission to leave the camp on Monday to complete his medical before the transfer was announced the following day.
He trained on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s friendly match against Senegal, when Kelleher will face former teammate Sadio Mane in Dublin.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has spoken about his desire for his no.1 to be a regular starter at club level, and O’Shea praised his ability to perform at such a high level despite not playing consistently.
“It's not an easy thing for him to do. He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool,” the former Manchester United said, a few hours before the transfer was officially announced.
“The run of games that he's shown, that he's been able to show the consistency that he's shown when he's had a run, that they haven't missed Alisson when he has been injured.
“I think that's what the whole of Europe and the whole of the world has seen when Caoimhin has been in goal for Liverpool.”
Caoimhin Kelleher confirmed he is looking to leave Liverpool this summer
Kelleher leaves Liverpool as a Premier League title winner.
Kelleher also earned the backing of international teammate Jake O’Brein earlier this week.
“It's great for him to become a no. 1 in the Premier League. 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.”
Caoimhin Kelleher
Kelleher spent five years as Alisson's back-up at Liverpool.
Kelleher made 67 appearances during his time at Liverpool, including 20 this season when deputizing for the injured Alisson.
He has been outspoken on his desire to leave the Reds and become a no.1 elsewhere, something he even admitted after the final game of the season.
With Giorgi Mamardashvil arriving this summer from Valencia, and Kelleher having just a year remaining on his contract, a summer exit always felt inevitable.
Brentford moved quickly to secure his signature with reported interest also coming from West Ham United, Leeds United, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Manchester United.