Caoimhin Kelleher certainly didn’t enjoy his latest trip to Wembley.
Having been the star in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumphs this year and in 2022, there would be no such heroics as the Republic of Ireland met England in their final Nations League game of the year.
A 5-0 defeat will certainly not be remembered fondly by the 25-year-old. You have to feel for Kelleher, who was left absolutely helpless as his team crumbled following Liam Scales’ red card, with England scoring three times in five minutes to put the game beyond any doubt before the hour mark.
It’s a sore end to an international break in which Kelleher had enhanced his reputation with an inspired performance against Finland just a few days before. His second-half penalty save that night earned his country just their second win of the Nations League campaign.
Unfortunately for the Irishman, his week might only get worse from here.
Kelleher will of course now return to Liverpool, along with club mates Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, who were left celebrating at Wembley. When he gets back to the AXA Training Centre though, he could find that he’s lost his place in the side to face Southampton.
He has of course been deputizing for Alisson Becker since the Brazilian pulled up with another hamstring injury at Crystal Palace last month. In that time, Kelleher has impressed, keeping three clean sheets in his six games as the Reds have built a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, while also leading the way in the Champions League.
His time in the Anfield spotlight could be about to end though, with Alisson looking on course to return soon. The 32-year-old recently posted a picture of himself at the gym in Liverpool’s training ground, raising hopes that he could soon be back in action.
Alisson will have continued his recovery during the international break, and there is a chance that he could be back in time to face Southampton. If he is back to full fitness, Arne Slot has already confirmed that Kelleher will have to make way.
“First of all, Alisson needs to become fit and I’ve always been quite clear and that’s always been the position of Alisson that he is, and will be, our first goalkeeper if he is fit,” Slot said before the international break.
“But therefore he first needs to be fit, but Caoimhin has done outstanding last season and this season again as well. But the moment Alisson will be fit he will be our first goalkeeper.”
There have been calls from some quarters for Kelleher to retain his place in the side regardless of Alisson’s fitness, given the Irishman’s recent form. Slot has left no room to manoeuvre in his stance though, meaning Liverpool’s No.1 will be back in goal soon, if not next weekend.
It does reinforce Kelleher wanting to leave Anfield in order to gain regular playing time elsewhere, especially with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to arrive on Merseyside next summer. If Alisson does return this week, Kelleher may well only have a handful of games left to look forward to as a Liverpool goalkeeper.
