I love a goalkeeper. There’s something about the art, the dive, the weirdness that sets it all apart. Something about efficiency, the guy that will have your back when it seems all is lost.
There have been plenty of times when the best goalkeeper in the world has been injured, and Kweev has had our back.
Here are the best moments of Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool.
Arsenal in the cup
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The man from Cork came through the youth academy at Liverpool, having been an outfield player in his younger years.
In only his second appearance for the club, Kelleher stepped up in a huge way.
A young fair-haired goalkeeper, making his first appearance in front of the Anfield crowd, it was sink or swim.
Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC - Carabao Cup Round of 16 | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
He started an EFL Cup tie against Arsenal in October 2019, and ended up being the hero of the shootout, saving a penalty from Dani Ceballos.
That penalty save was Kelleher’s coming of age in the [Liverpool](https://rushthekop.com/liverpool-s-4-most-epic-second-leg-cup-turnarounds-01jkckg7tdym) team and his first of many penalty heroics.
He ended up playing in the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa later in the competition, when most of the senior players were at the Club World Cup, otherwise Kelleher could have played a key part in Liverpool silverware in 2020.
Carabao Cup final 2022
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In the 2021/22 season Kelleher cemented his place as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper ahead of Adrian.
He featured in Premier League games against Watford and Chelsea, having made his Champions League and Premier League debuts the season prior.
Kelleher saved penalties from Ryan Bertrand and Luke Thomas in a penalty shootout win over Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool v Leicester City - Carabao Cup Quarter Final | Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages
He also kept a clean sheet in the second leg of the semi-final against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Kelleher started his first major final against [Chelsea](https://rushthekop.com/ranking-the-4-best-players-to-play-for-both-liverpool-and-chelsea-01jt7dj5msjd) in that competition.
He scored the deciding penalty, while his opposite number Kepa Arrizabalaga blazed one over the crossbar, as the Reds won the cup.
Kelleher’s 2024 and beyond
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Kelleher played all of Liverpool’s games in the run to winning the 2024 Carabao Cup.
The Irishman started the final, keeping a clean sheet, as Virgil van Dijk scored an extra time winner against Chelsea.
Kelleher was also given most of Liverpool’s games in the Europa League, missing only two.
This season has always felt like a farewell tour for Kelleher, with the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili announced before the season began.
Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Kelleher was a deciding factor for Liverpool from September to December, in the absence of Alisson Becker.
He produced my favourite Kelleher moment, a penalty save from Kylian Mbappe. With Liverpool 2-0 up against old foes Real Madrid, this is the moment where it could have unravelled but for Kelleher.
Our number two departs for Brentford with our best wishes, and having made only 67 appearances in all competitions, he has won more penalty shootouts and saved more penalties in shootouts than any other goalkeeper in Liverpool history.