When Andy Robertson fouled Lucas Vazquez while he attempted to dribble around the Scottish defender on the right side of the box, Real Madrid was awarded a penalty, with Liverpool leading 1-0 and eager to retaliate who suffered from the European rival over a decade.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool's starting goalkeeper while Alisson Becker was sidelined with injury at the time, dramatically waved his arms as Kylian Mbappé prepared to take the kick.
Predicting accurately, the Irish international sprang to his left just before the Frenchman touched the ball’s surface, deflecting the ball out of play.
Players poured to him on the post with delighted roars and smiles. The crowd also erupted with ecstatic cheers and celebrations, particularly from the Kopites in the Anfield stands, emphasizing the significance of Kelleher's save.
By preventing what could have been a devastating goal, Kelleher not only helped Liverpool maintain their lead but also secured a reassuring 2-0 victory, bringing relief to all.
There are so many of his heroic memories, like the aforementioned save to Mbappe, that flashed in Reds fans’ minds when they heard his confirmed departure last month.
The streets will remember how we once had, arguably, the best No. 2 goalkeeper in the world.
From Striker to Goalkeeper
Kelleher’s football journey began in his hometown of Cork, Ireland, where he played for Ringmahon Rangers, a local club with a strong youth setup. Initially, he was a prolific striker, scoring 20-30 goals per season, which showed his goal-scoring ability.
However, a pivotal moment came when Ringmahon’s regular goalkeeper left the team, leaving a gap in the squad.
Kelleher's father, Ray, suggested that his son, who had been practicing as a goalkeeper informally, fill the spot.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool - Pre-Season Friendly | Lynne Cameron/GettyImages
Despite initial reluctance from the coaches, they agreed to give him a try. Kelleher eventually secured his footprint around the box after making impressive progress in goal.
“He always had a brilliant attitude to everything,” Kevin Reagan, Kelleher’s former coach in Ringmahon Rangers, said to The42 in 2020. “*When he first went in goal at 14 we used to have to shout at him and tell him he had to be more vocal. But then a year later, we couldn’t get him to shut up! He came on leaps and bounds, month after month.*”
Kelleher's background as a striker enhanced his goalkeeping as he understood what strikers thought on occasions.
His rapid development caught the attention of several clubs, including Aston Villa and Manchester United. Ultimately, he joined Liverpool's academy in 2015
Liverpool’s Discovery
In 2015, Kelleher was only 16 when he caught the eye of Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg.
Described as a “skinny boy from Ireland standing in this big goal,” Kelleher faced some skepticism at the club due to his physique.
Nonetheless, Achterberg’s confidence in his ability to play in the first team was pivotal. The coach’s sharp talent recognition resulted in Kelleher signing with Liverpool from Ringmahon Rangers that summer, kickstarting his journey at the club.
After joining Liverpool’s academy, Kelleher thrived under Achterberg’s guidance, which prioritized enhancing his technical abilities and boosting his confidence.
Over the years spent playing at the youth level, he developed strong leadership and composure as a goalkeeper.
In August 2018, he secured a new professional contract with Liverpool and began training with the senior squad, even traveling with them to the 2019 Champions League final, where Liverpool triumphed over Tottenham Spurs with a score of 2-0.
Big-Game Play Showcased His No.1 Potential
After the contract renewal, Kelleher began moving up to the Premier League or another senior level. On December 1, 2020, he started and achieved a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League.
Five days later, Kelleher was named in the starting lineup for a Premier League match against Wolves, where he kept a clean sheet to help secure a 4–0 win.
At 22 years and 13 days, Kelleher became the third-youngest Liverpool goalkeeper to achieve a Premier League clean sheet and the youngest to do so on his first league start.
Following several impressive performances, then-manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Kelleher's promotion to second choice, behind Alisson Becker and ahead of Adrián San Miguel.
Caoimhim Kelleher
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Whenever Liverpool needed their backup keeper for other domestic tournaments like the EFL Cup, Kelleher consistently stepped up to make a name for himself.
In 2019, during the fourth round of the EFL Cup against Arsenal, which ended in a 5-5 draw in regulation, his crucial save demonstrated that Liverpool could triumph over a Premier League powerhouse even without Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Kelleher's defining moment came in the 2022 EFL Cup final against Chelsea. Both teams battled back and forth during regulation and extra time without scoring, leading to a penalty shootout where all 10 players scored.
As the 11th player, Kelleher sent the ball into the top left corner, securing the trophy for Liverpool after Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga missed his attempt.
Two years later, when Liverpool returned to the EFL Cup final, Kelleher emerged once again as the hero in securing the trophy.
Despite Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell and Nicolas Jackson posing a threat, Kelleher thwarted their attempts with remarkable reflex saves, totaling nine saves in the match. Following Van Dijk’s stellar header in the 118th minute, Liverpool clinched the trophy.
It’s Hard to Keep Kelleher
Indeed, keeping arguably the best backup keeper in the world is challenging. With a 72% save rate, Kelleher demonstrated his potential as a No.1 keeper with numerous world-class performances in the 2023-24 season, providing Kopites with relief as starting keeper Alisson was sidelined due to injury.
However, a remarkable backup keeper rightfully deserves a starting position, whether that’s his aspiration or if the market seeks him out.
Since his breakout last year, rumors of his potential move have been rampant, and one must respect Kelleher's desire for more playing time.
Caoimhin Kelleher, Ryan Sessegnon, Andrew Robertson
Fulham FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League | Julian Finney/GettyImages
This season, he delivered another strong performance, recording four clean sheets in 10 Premier League appearances and impressively stepping up when Alisson was unavailable.
His commitment earned him a Premier League Champion medal, marking his first major title as a senior player since his promotion five years ago.
It’s always disheartening to see a player who has given their heart to Kopites depart. However, all I can say about his move to Brentford is that it comes with nothing but blessings.
Liverpool can take pride in its product, who is likely to take Brentford, and possibly the Irish national team, further in the football world.
Wishing you all the best, Octopus.