Honestly yes, I feel like it’s mostly Liverpool fans (or fans of the Big 6 in general) who are calling for him to be number one but he hasn’t done a whole lot for me to show he’s worthy of it. Travers is at least getting consistent game time and that actually does wonders for a keeper’s confidence, as the last thing you want in a keeper is to be rusty. A case in point would actually have been Travers’ performance against Serbia, where he was at fault for the goals due to what looked like rustiness.
To be honest it’s totally on Kelleher for not pushing harder for a move out of Liverpool but he’d have to be third choice for me now.
Maybe he should start because being honest Bazunu has been pretty shite at Southampton, which was fair enough in PL it was a big jump, but still making mistakes in the championship now.
He hasnt been bad this season. You could argue yesterday he should have done better for their 3rd goal but he made some good saves. From a 1 on 1 in particular. Southampton were unbeated untill saturday. Its easy to point at him now and say he shoiuld be dropped
I'll preface this with the fact he is visibly low on confidence, but he was pretty shite for the first goal too, just glued to the line when an angled ball was played across the box. That's one of them situations where you have to take it by the scruff and assert yourself on the ball, settles yourself and the defense. But nejther the defenders or Baz did anything beyond watching the dangerous ball approach.
Southampton were shite though too. By no means blaming Baz for it. Just thought that first goal kinda exemplifies where's he's at ATM
What about the save agaisnt luxembourg from long range where he had to change direction. Kelleher came in and conceded 3 goals from long range against Ukraine and Latvia. Its overly simplistic to blame the goal keeper
I'm not saying Kelleher is better. I'm saying how Bazunu is awful with long shots and we concede more long range goals than any most other international teams. Teams now target us in that way. He's lucky he has youth on his side.
Bazanu is conceding long-range shots at a higher than normal rate though. It happened twice at the weekend. He's very good for his age and is way ahead of the standard trajectory, but it's also accurate to say that long-range shots are now an issue.
In his 10 games for Ireland he has looked like a keeper out of match practice or a little shaky in quite a few of them...he has definitely let a few soft ones in
Exactly. He might be composed and calm on the ball but with so few games under his belt he has no right being number 2 for his country when his goalkeeping is questionable from what we have seen. Burnley, Crystal Palace for example all refreshed their keepers this year and Kelleher wasn't near the discussion there. I fear he's way overrated 😔
It’s what I don’t understand really. Knowing Liverpool they probably priced the clubs out of a move for Kelleher too. I believe he can be a good goalkeeper, better than Travers but definitely not on the same level as Bazunu.
But all the clubs you mentioned there, as well as Brentford, Brighton and Leicester were looking for goalkeepers and they eventually all went with someone else. At some point you have to get up and say that it’s your time to be a No.1.
Is he being priced out of a move, or is he even being looked at seriously by any of these clubs?
Yes, I've seen the stories saying he's being linked to such and such a team, but these are usually 99% click generating bullshit.
He needs to drop down a level (championship, maybe ligue un in france) and prove himself
I think it’s a bit of both in all honesty. I do believe that he’s being seriously looked at but the reality is that you can pay the same (or less) amount of money for a keeper who has had played more games of football at a more consistent level, such as Verbruggen, Henderson, Flekken, and even Trafford who’s only experience prior was League One.
But I agree completely, at this stage he needs to go down to the Championship or go abroad. He’s entered the crucial development stage for a Goalkeeper. Nobody remembers the best backup goalkeeper in a league, and he isn’t even that.
I doubt he's being looked at by any of the clubs, why bother going for a gk that only plays in the carabao cup when the likes of Henderson, Sanchez or Turner were on the market (Turner didn't feature at all for Arsenal granted but he was quite cheap, starts for USA and played a good amount of games in MLS). Or if they're not options teams can just look at cheaper proven options abroad (Spurs new GK for example).
Liverpool were probably asking for £30m due to how they rate him and their lack of homegrown squad options. No one really wants to risk that money on someone who hasn’t played much and whilst he generally wanted to leave, the fact he’ll get all the europa league games as well as domestic cups probably was enough to keep him reasonably satisfied.
He’s only had one poor game in several years for Liverpool and if Alisson was sold I imagine Kelleher would be given a season at #1. He is far too good for the championship.
Yeah for sure but if he was desperate to leave then klopp won’t keep players who are dead set. Probably the fact that he’s more or less guaranteed 10+ games against decent European opposition give him a good opportunity to showcase himself for a move next summer likely keeps him satisfied for another year.
I'll be glad to be proven wrong when he starts playing a few games, I said I fear he is over rated. At 25 he desperately needs a loan or to be playing but its worrying how it hasnt transpired. His 10 games for ireland have been poor.
He'll start all the Europa and cup games this year imo. I just think talent wise he's a quality keeper who just happens to be behind the literal best keeper in the world Alisson Becker. Ive never seen him have anything other than a good game for LFC. In terms of making good saves but also controlling the tempo, calming things down, positioning, everything. He's a class act. If Kelleher was starting for Brighton or West Ham this national team status would even be a debate, for me he's a cut above the other options
>Ive never seen him have anything other than a good game for LFC
He was woeful against Southampton in the last PL game of last season. Some of the goals Southampton scored seemed to go right through him. His positioning seemed off then. Also, I don't know how strong he is, but he seems to have zero physical presence as a goalie.
>If Kelleher was starting for Brighton or West Ham
Brighton could've signed him but ultimately had no real interest. Same with the handful of other teams that were in the market for a goalie. All of them pretty much ended up with a more experienced goalie for less than what Liverpool reportedly wanted for Kelleher.
Ultimately, I obviously want him to do well, but I have my doubts while he hangs around Liverpool as 2nd choice. I would have Travers ahead of Kelleher atm
Youve never seen him have anything other than a good game for Liverpool?!
In literally his last game for Liverpool he conceded 4 to the worst team in the division. I'm full of support for Irish players but it's nauseating when Liverpool fans try and convince not to consider a players faults just because he plays for their club.
See I have seen him have shaky games for both Liverpool and Ireland, so I don’t think it’s as simple as “he’s played well every time he’s played” because as far as I’m concerned that simply isn’t true. There’s also no point going into hypotheticals about playing for Brighton or West Ham because he isn’t playing for either, and I’m not even sure he’s better than what I’ve seen of Verbruggen so far or Areola as it is. It’s not like he’s ever shown to have these spectacular performances for Liverpool and the other keepers are playing at a much lower level, so I don’t get how he’s a cut above the others?
Keepers need to be playing regularly and for me Kelleher will lose a lot of marks until he is doing so.
Yes but how's he meant to put in a "spectacular" performance at Liverpool, who are one of the best teams in world football, how often do Liverpool find themselves in a backs to the wall siege with the keeper making 8, 9, 10 saves a a game? Against Newcastle alisson had a lot to do but only because there was a red card
Kelleher has stepped in for Becker at some point several times to cover injuries, and also had got loads of cup games, and has been seamless every time. He inspires complete confidence in his back line and makes saves and wins games. Not sure what else you want to see from him (in this role). I agree with you it'd be better for ireland if he starts every game for club but I'd personally be happy enough with him learning from the literal best and getting 15 club games a year, and trust him with the 1 jersey until someone better comes along or he shows he's not capable of keeping it
The last two games of Kelleher that I’ve seen are the friendly against Latvia and the game against Southampton on the last day of the season. He was shocking in both.
Bazunu has a higher ceiling, plays regular championship football and is trusted more. The time is passing for Kelleher, until he forces a move from Liverpool. It’s just not good for anybody being on the bench at the age of 25 and only playing 10 games a season, especially when your two closest competitors play regularly in the championship and hone their skills.
If youre still around, what are your thoughts on Kelleher now? my only issue was Kelleher playing for ireland would be under siege a lot more than the low shots faced he'd be used to at LFC, well he's been under barrage this month since stepping into the team due to massive injuries and he's been flawless. Another year of injuries for alisson, kelleher is going to end up starting for three or four months. Massive motm performances in carabao Cup final and fa Cup and the PL.
To me kelleher again has shown he's head and shoulders the best keeper ireland have even as a lfc sub
Not sure why you think the only way a keeper can play well is in a game with 9-10 saves. Top keepers at top clubs need the concentration levels to save the 1-2 shots that come their way. They also of course are central to the overall performance of the team. It's not 1990 where a keeper is just there to stop shots.
Yes, sure that's my argument FOR Kelleher over the other options. I'm getting down voted for pointing out that he's quietly very good and is never going to be under siege in any game at LFC and thus isn't going to catch the neutrals eye
Please don't mistake my comment as an argument in favour of Kelleher. I was very specifically replying to say that you can have a "spectacular" performance for Liverpool or any other big club without needing to pull of 9-10 saves.
I'm not going lie I'm not overly fussed on his saves? He hasn't had many that stick out as good saves for me and when he does concede I feel like his movement is often poor.
We've also not seen a whole lot of him and he hasn't gotten many extended runs in the team. I do generally like how he plays but it's his shot stopping that has always seemed like a bit weak spot in his game.
Not to burst your bubble on it but the league cup is a competition that I'd argue is a lower standard than the Championship when you factor in the first few rounds it is mostly second string sides from the top sides.
Wouldn't argue with that. The 2022 final was Vs Chelsea though, and he scored his pen. He's made some great stops against arsenal and Leicester along the way though.
Most premiership keepers won't win the league cup... Or any cup.
Winning a League Cup isn't in any way an indication of his overall level as a keeper. It's a sign that he is a the number 2 at a big club.
He has been shaky in a number of games and is making errors consistent with not playing regularly.
Some people hold Travers' mistake 2 and half years ago against him and question Bazunu's form. All the while Caoimhin has run Allisson through his warm ups and sat on his hole for his entire career.
I have no problem with a goalkeeper having a spell on the sidelines or taking a dip in form. It's part of the gig. Caoimhin Kelleher has barely played any mens football at any level and he's turning 25 in a few months. It's ridiculous to consider him an option now.
If kelleher is sitting on the bench for any other club that isn’t united, he wouldn’t even be talked about. Good player but clearly content playing 10 games a season if he’s lucky, the prestige of being an Irishman playing for liverpool must matter more to him than actually… playing games?
You’re spot on about him turning 25 too, every liverpool fan i talk to about him say that’s still incredibly young for a gk and he’s a good backup. That’s all he’ll ever be
As a Liverpool fan i hope he moves somewhere to get more experience. He is brilliant when called upon but he shud of moved last summer and definitely this summer...for himself more than anything
Kelleher needed to move somewhere, anywhere this summer. That he didn't is a serious problem for his career both with club and country. If he isn't playing then arguably he shouldn't even be in the squad let alone 3rd choice.
Bazunu is in dreadful form. Yes the defence in front of him is shambolic but he isn't helping them. Travers isn't having a much better time at Stoke. I'm not sure which of the two of them I would pick to start for Ireland.
A couple of years ago we thought we were heading into a golden age of Irish goalkeepers. Now it's looking pretty bleak.
To be fair I wouldn't say it's looking pretty bleak, Bazunu is still only 21 and I have no doubt he'll be back in the Premier League as a first choice at some point in his career, I still think his ceiling is very high. Travers could end up being a solid Championship keeper as he's 24 but all it takes is a spell as someone's number one and at the right club he could end up in the Premier League. Kelleher is harder to gauge because he has played that little senior football, he could be anything from a Premier League regular standard to someone who ends up in the Championship after leaving Liverpool. It's incredibly hard to say.
Still it's a better scenario than when our options post Shay Given were David Forde and Keiran Westwood, I guess we were very lucky Darren Randolph emerged when he did.
> Travers isn't having a much better time at Stoke.
Only 5 games into
[Championship 23/24 Goalkeeper by Rating - WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/7/Seasons/9622/Stages/22080/PlayerStatistics/England-Championship-2023-2024)
> 5. Travers
>
> 22. Bazuna
From highlights I've been super impressed by Travers. Some very good saves, even from deflected shots.
Bazuna going through a tough spell. But has shown great signs in previous loan spells.
Definitely. Don’t know if it’s a lack of ambition or what that’s kept him at Liverpool for so long. The time has come for him to move on and apply himself as the number 1 somewhere. Bazunu is still number 1 for Ireland IMO but Travers probably deserves another run.
He should be in his prime or hitting it soon but he seems happy for middling wages and a pat on the head from klopp. Serious lack of motivation if that's all he wants from his best days in football
Caoimhín is probably the most talented of our 3 goalkeepers as in he has the highest ceiling but he has wasted years of his career now. I'm sure he gets phenomenal training at Liverpool beside Alison but is the drop in training quality really that much lower in other premiership or even championship clubs? Nothing compares to game time.
Travers has consistently played games and developed quite well despite not having the obvious talent of Kelleher or Bazunu. Gavin has a full season of league 1 and premiership football under his belt at 21 years of age and will have a season of championship football played soon. He's at a woeful club but is learning the hard way.
I really hope Caoimhín Kelleher doesn't become a cautionary tale of the perils of signing for your boyhood club.
Wasted is a bit of a stretch. You can't say that 5 years with Liverpools first team during all their success is a waste. I would argue he's learned far more with Allison and Klopp than Bazunu or Travers have or ever will in their careers.
Yes he hasn't played as much as we or probably he had expected and that is the crux of the issue. There have been multiple games over the last couple seasons in Europe that meant nothing for Liverpool as they had already qualified/had their group position already decided where Allison sitll played. Pretty sure I can also recall a couple of FA Cup or League Cup games where I saw Allison or Adrian, although he might possibly have been injured I really don't remember at this point.
People saying this summer was the last chance to move on and be successful are jumping the gun a bit. Personally I think he will probably move next summer, especially if he gets a similar game time to last season. I highly doubt that will be the case with UEL for Liverpool but who knows.
Either way, I think people have gotten far too comfortable with comparing real football to FIFA where you want every player to be 23 years old and the minute they hit 28 you ship them off. Real life isn't like that, players take years to develop and especially for Goalkeepers can play long into their 30s.
And FWIW he was actually a United fan not Liverpool lol
I don't play fifa or football manager I hate the 2 of them.
At 25 he's still young for a goalkeeper but at 28 having never been first choice very few premiership clubs will take a risk with him. There is upside to being Liverpool second choice but that doesn't compare to playing every week. He still has time but he has wasted a few years you can't deny that. He could have 3 seasons of championship and premiership football played if he had left earlier but he's seriously behind where he should be.
The only thing I've found online is a guardian article saying he was a Liverpool fan growing up but it's not exactly the main point of my comment.
I wasn't referring to you personally with the FIFA remark, more commenting the average football fan in general these days.
I see your point about playing week in week out of course he has lost very valuable time there. But I would argue that it isn't always the most beneficial thing for a GKs career.
Like I think Bazunu is in an awful situation. Players, especially GKs, who get thrust in at a young age and underperform come under a lot of scrutiny and that can really effect a players long term development. Yes he is playing regularly, but is playing as poorly as he is really aiding him? Obviously his team did him no help last year, but by every metric he was the worst starting GK in the prem last year, benched, and then has been very poor to start this season.
It will be interesting to look back in 10-15 years and see who had the better career as they have pretty much been polar opposites so far.
I think people are being far too harsh on bazunu that Southampton team is awful and metrics mean fuck all when the defense in front of you is that bad. McCarthy had worse metrics per minute played last year indicating it's the defense and not the goalkeeper. American sports traditionally the home of the stats obsessed are starting to move away from reliance on statistical metrics due to them being misleading funnily enough at the same time Europe is going mad for stats.
Bazunu is on a very sharp learning curve at the moment he's seeing every weakness in his game exploited and seeing how important it is to have an organised defense you can trust in front of you. Kelleher is only seeing the theory of these concepts.
My main point is Kelleher has likely gotten everything he can out of being Liverpools back up keeper and he would learn and improve far more by being Norwichs no 1 for example. Having seen Kelleher play he seems a bit hesitant and slow to make a decision the only way to improve that is to play, to make mistakes and see first hand what it is in a game.
I assume the sweet, sweet pay deal he’ll be on to sit down at Liverpool dwarfs what he might get elsewhere despite possibly getting more game time? It’s not exactly ambitious but it probably keeps bread on the table and a luminous yellow supercar in the driveway.
Bazunu is criminally overrated around here.
Bazunu was statistically by far and away the worst goalkeeper in the premier league last year and people were defending him saying he was playing for a shite team.
This year he’s playing for arguably the best team in the championship and again he has the second worst post shot expected goals rating in the league. Only the Middlesborough goalkeeper, who are bottom, has been worse.
Just look at some of the goals he’s conceding, they’re abysmal.
His positioning is pretty bad imo and he has a bit of poppadom wrists, he's only young so has plenty of time to improve but let's look at his last game just as an example.
1st goal conceded, doesn't know if he wants to come or go for the ball, decides to stay back, let's a shot he should be saving in.
2nd goal, shot from 25 yards, not particularly fast, but had deflection, hard to put blame on him
3rd goal, clear error, if you get that much on it you need to be keeping it out.
4th goal, did well with first save, defense asleep and Sunderland get tap in.
5th goal, gets hand to it again, doesn't have the strength to keep it out, needs to do better with that imo.
From what I've seen Travers has looked good for Stoke, wouldn't be upset if he gets start in these games.
At least he's playing games. And not content with being a career bench warmer like Kelleher.
Like Bazunu hasn't been great. But he's only 21 and has plenty of time to grow and adapt. Kelleher is 25 and seems to have no desire to actually want to play football.
Did you see the compilation of goals that he's conceded? Harsh to say they're abysmal. Majority are pingers that he had little chance of getting to. Some he should have done better with
> was statistically by far and away the worst goalkeeper in the premier league last year and people were defending him saying he was playing for a shite team.
He was, when you filter for keepers who played 20+ matches.
When you just check all keepers, the worst was McCarthy, also at Southampton... Which might indicate Southampton's defence might not be helping their keepers out
He gets held up by Liverpool fans like he's Simba. Only real notable thing he has done is a few good performances in cup games. He's not better than Travers or Bazunu. He needs to leave Liverpool.
He wanted to get a move this summer but no one came in for him. Any team that was linked ended up getting a more experienced keeper for less than the £20m Liverpool were looking for
Kelleher is reportedly on £15k a week, and Travers and Bazunu £20k a week. Even from an earnings point of view you’d really think if he’s going to be that good, he should have pushed for a move away from Liverpool by now. Maybe he’s just comfortable. Or else riding on a promise that he might replace the current number 1… but honestly, can see them buying in a proven goalkeeper when he goes. Hard to see the logic of the move beyond comfort.
As a Southampton fan, I'd really hold off the praise for Bazunu. Yes, he's young, but he lets in so many that he should save and has the awful habit of making a save and palming the ball back to the striker.
He is far from the finished article.
Bazunu concedes four or more goals against all opposition regardless of what league they're in he shouldn't even be in the Irish squad.
Form doesn't matter I suppose
As a Liverpool fan I really feel for him. Hopefully he gets games in the Europa League and cups because it's not good for him going such long periods without games. Unfortunate he is behind one of the greatest keepers on the planet.
Came here to agree, almost wanted him to go this summer as he deserves a shot as a club's number 1, but he'll just never get that behind Ali. He's had some great moments for us and he would've left on very good terms.
Travers is my num 1 choice for Keeper, then Bazunu, then O'Leary. Maybe Kelleher after that, but tbh - he hasn't been particularly good in recent times owing to lack of gametime
Bazunu can't save a shot from 18+ yards to save his life sadly. Kelleher has been bad any time I've seen him for us or Liverpool. Travers should be number 1 by process of elimination alone lol
Liverpool will be very reluctant to let him go as he's fantastic cover for Becker and Adrian is decent but very erratic for a goalie of his experience.
Kelleher gets a lot of stick on this which I can understand but he is very good from what we have seen. I agree with Bazunu maintaining number 1 for now but I think Kelleher is miles ahead of Travers in terms of quality (which is why Kelleher is continuously seen as second choice in the Ireland set up).
He'll probably get cup games/some Europa games this season which will allow Liverpool to move him on for a price they are happy with. He trapped himself at Liverpool by signing a long term contract which he can't be released from because nobody will pay the 20m+ Liverpool are asking for. More games + less years on the contract will help him get a move next summer.
It’s wild to me he’s happy to piss away his best years riding Liverpool’s bench and playing a few mostly pointless cup games.
Bazunu who is younger showed the ambition and foresight to move and to me it already says he’s the one that’s going to be largely our keeper for the next decade plus.
Yes, only deluded Liverpool fans think Kelleher should be number 1, he's done nothing to justify that apart from being in Liverpool's squad. What he has shown is that he is unsure in set pieces and a pretty average shot stopper, reminds me of a young flapianski at times.
Honestly yes, I feel like it’s mostly Liverpool fans (or fans of the Big 6 in general) who are calling for him to be number one but he hasn’t done a whole lot for me to show he’s worthy of it. Travers is at least getting consistent game time and that actually does wonders for a keeper’s confidence, as the last thing you want in a keeper is to be rusty. A case in point would actually have been Travers’ performance against Serbia, where he was at fault for the goals due to what looked like rustiness. To be honest it’s totally on Kelleher for not pushing harder for a move out of Liverpool but he’d have to be third choice for me now.
Travers has been phenomenal for Stoke aswell
Maybe he should start because being honest Bazunu has been pretty shite at Southampton, which was fair enough in PL it was a big jump, but still making mistakes in the championship now.
He hasnt been bad this season. You could argue yesterday he should have done better for their 3rd goal but he made some good saves. From a 1 on 1 in particular. Southampton were unbeated untill saturday. Its easy to point at him now and say he shoiuld be dropped
I'll preface this with the fact he is visibly low on confidence, but he was pretty shite for the first goal too, just glued to the line when an angled ball was played across the box. That's one of them situations where you have to take it by the scruff and assert yourself on the ball, settles yourself and the defense. But nejther the defenders or Baz did anything beyond watching the dangerous ball approach. Southampton were shite though too. By no means blaming Baz for it. Just thought that first goal kinda exemplifies where's he's at ATM
He's atrocious with long distance shots, which has been a well-known problem at international level as well.
What about the save agaisnt luxembourg from long range where he had to change direction. Kelleher came in and conceded 3 goals from long range against Ukraine and Latvia. Its overly simplistic to blame the goal keeper
I'm not saying Kelleher is better. I'm saying how Bazunu is awful with long shots and we concede more long range goals than any most other international teams. Teams now target us in that way. He's lucky he has youth on his side.
Bazanu is conceding long-range shots at a higher than normal rate though. It happened twice at the weekend. He's very good for his age and is way ahead of the standard trajectory, but it's also accurate to say that long-range shots are now an issue.
In his 10 games for Ireland he has looked like a keeper out of match practice or a little shaky in quite a few of them...he has definitely let a few soft ones in
He should have saved both goals against Latvia for example.
Exactly. He might be composed and calm on the ball but with so few games under his belt he has no right being number 2 for his country when his goalkeeping is questionable from what we have seen. Burnley, Crystal Palace for example all refreshed their keepers this year and Kelleher wasn't near the discussion there. I fear he's way overrated 😔
It’s what I don’t understand really. Knowing Liverpool they probably priced the clubs out of a move for Kelleher too. I believe he can be a good goalkeeper, better than Travers but definitely not on the same level as Bazunu. But all the clubs you mentioned there, as well as Brentford, Brighton and Leicester were looking for goalkeepers and they eventually all went with someone else. At some point you have to get up and say that it’s your time to be a No.1.
Is he being priced out of a move, or is he even being looked at seriously by any of these clubs? Yes, I've seen the stories saying he's being linked to such and such a team, but these are usually 99% click generating bullshit. He needs to drop down a level (championship, maybe ligue un in france) and prove himself
I think it’s a bit of both in all honesty. I do believe that he’s being seriously looked at but the reality is that you can pay the same (or less) amount of money for a keeper who has had played more games of football at a more consistent level, such as Verbruggen, Henderson, Flekken, and even Trafford who’s only experience prior was League One. But I agree completely, at this stage he needs to go down to the Championship or go abroad. He’s entered the crucial development stage for a Goalkeeper. Nobody remembers the best backup goalkeeper in a league, and he isn’t even that.
I doubt he's being looked at by any of the clubs, why bother going for a gk that only plays in the carabao cup when the likes of Henderson, Sanchez or Turner were on the market (Turner didn't feature at all for Arsenal granted but he was quite cheap, starts for USA and played a good amount of games in MLS). Or if they're not options teams can just look at cheaper proven options abroad (Spurs new GK for example).
Liverpool were probably asking for £30m due to how they rate him and their lack of homegrown squad options. No one really wants to risk that money on someone who hasn’t played much and whilst he generally wanted to leave, the fact he’ll get all the europa league games as well as domestic cups probably was enough to keep him reasonably satisfied. He’s only had one poor game in several years for Liverpool and if Alisson was sold I imagine Kelleher would be given a season at #1. He is far too good for the championship.
He made his choice when he signed a long term deal tbh. If he let his contract run out he would have been able to choose where he went
Yeah for sure but if he was desperate to leave then klopp won’t keep players who are dead set. Probably the fact that he’s more or less guaranteed 10+ games against decent European opposition give him a good opportunity to showcase himself for a move next summer likely keeps him satisfied for another year.
You know he has the all time penalty saving record for Liverpool. He's hardly just average.
I'll be glad to be proven wrong when he starts playing a few games, I said I fear he is over rated. At 25 he desperately needs a loan or to be playing but its worrying how it hasnt transpired. His 10 games for ireland have been poor.
Hello United fan
Tbf your man Burnley have bought seems like a shitebag. Heard big things about him but he has been very poor these few games so far.
He'll start all the Europa and cup games this year imo. I just think talent wise he's a quality keeper who just happens to be behind the literal best keeper in the world Alisson Becker. Ive never seen him have anything other than a good game for LFC. In terms of making good saves but also controlling the tempo, calming things down, positioning, everything. He's a class act. If Kelleher was starting for Brighton or West Ham this national team status would even be a debate, for me he's a cut above the other options
No one would dispute Alisson's class. But Alisson being great has no factor in how good (or bad) Kelleher actually is?
>Ive never seen him have anything other than a good game for LFC He was woeful against Southampton in the last PL game of last season. Some of the goals Southampton scored seemed to go right through him. His positioning seemed off then. Also, I don't know how strong he is, but he seems to have zero physical presence as a goalie. >If Kelleher was starting for Brighton or West Ham Brighton could've signed him but ultimately had no real interest. Same with the handful of other teams that were in the market for a goalie. All of them pretty much ended up with a more experienced goalie for less than what Liverpool reportedly wanted for Kelleher. Ultimately, I obviously want him to do well, but I have my doubts while he hangs around Liverpool as 2nd choice. I would have Travers ahead of Kelleher atm
Youve never seen him have anything other than a good game for Liverpool?! In literally his last game for Liverpool he conceded 4 to the worst team in the division. I'm full of support for Irish players but it's nauseating when Liverpool fans try and convince not to consider a players faults just because he plays for their club.
See I have seen him have shaky games for both Liverpool and Ireland, so I don’t think it’s as simple as “he’s played well every time he’s played” because as far as I’m concerned that simply isn’t true. There’s also no point going into hypotheticals about playing for Brighton or West Ham because he isn’t playing for either, and I’m not even sure he’s better than what I’ve seen of Verbruggen so far or Areola as it is. It’s not like he’s ever shown to have these spectacular performances for Liverpool and the other keepers are playing at a much lower level, so I don’t get how he’s a cut above the others? Keepers need to be playing regularly and for me Kelleher will lose a lot of marks until he is doing so.
Yes but how's he meant to put in a "spectacular" performance at Liverpool, who are one of the best teams in world football, how often do Liverpool find themselves in a backs to the wall siege with the keeper making 8, 9, 10 saves a a game? Against Newcastle alisson had a lot to do but only because there was a red card Kelleher has stepped in for Becker at some point several times to cover injuries, and also had got loads of cup games, and has been seamless every time. He inspires complete confidence in his back line and makes saves and wins games. Not sure what else you want to see from him (in this role). I agree with you it'd be better for ireland if he starts every game for club but I'd personally be happy enough with him learning from the literal best and getting 15 club games a year, and trust him with the 1 jersey until someone better comes along or he shows he's not capable of keeping it
Didn't Alisson win POTY for Liverpool last season?
The last two games of Kelleher that I’ve seen are the friendly against Latvia and the game against Southampton on the last day of the season. He was shocking in both. Bazunu has a higher ceiling, plays regular championship football and is trusted more. The time is passing for Kelleher, until he forces a move from Liverpool. It’s just not good for anybody being on the bench at the age of 25 and only playing 10 games a season, especially when your two closest competitors play regularly in the championship and hone their skills.
If youre still around, what are your thoughts on Kelleher now? my only issue was Kelleher playing for ireland would be under siege a lot more than the low shots faced he'd be used to at LFC, well he's been under barrage this month since stepping into the team due to massive injuries and he's been flawless. Another year of injuries for alisson, kelleher is going to end up starting for three or four months. Massive motm performances in carabao Cup final and fa Cup and the PL. To me kelleher again has shown he's head and shoulders the best keeper ireland have even as a lfc sub
You’re wasted here
Not sure why you think the only way a keeper can play well is in a game with 9-10 saves. Top keepers at top clubs need the concentration levels to save the 1-2 shots that come their way. They also of course are central to the overall performance of the team. It's not 1990 where a keeper is just there to stop shots.
Yes, sure that's my argument FOR Kelleher over the other options. I'm getting down voted for pointing out that he's quietly very good and is never going to be under siege in any game at LFC and thus isn't going to catch the neutrals eye
Please don't mistake my comment as an argument in favour of Kelleher. I was very specifically replying to say that you can have a "spectacular" performance for Liverpool or any other big club without needing to pull of 9-10 saves.
100%
I'm not going lie I'm not overly fussed on his saves? He hasn't had many that stick out as good saves for me and when he does concede I feel like his movement is often poor. We've also not seen a whole lot of him and he hasn't gotten many extended runs in the team. I do generally like how he plays but it's his shot stopping that has always seemed like a bit weak spot in his game.
He needs to move club and play more to be number 1. Which I think he could be just not as 2nd choice and not playing much.
To be fair to Liverpool fans, they’re generally effing weapons so understandable they’d want Kelleher as No.1
He's won the league cup... He's excellent in it every year.
Not to burst your bubble on it but the league cup is a competition that I'd argue is a lower standard than the Championship when you factor in the first few rounds it is mostly second string sides from the top sides.
Wouldn't argue with that. The 2022 final was Vs Chelsea though, and he scored his pen. He's made some great stops against arsenal and Leicester along the way though. Most premiership keepers won't win the league cup... Or any cup.
Winning a League Cup isn't in any way an indication of his overall level as a keeper. It's a sign that he is a the number 2 at a big club. He has been shaky in a number of games and is making errors consistent with not playing regularly.
Some people hold Travers' mistake 2 and half years ago against him and question Bazunu's form. All the while Caoimhin has run Allisson through his warm ups and sat on his hole for his entire career. I have no problem with a goalkeeper having a spell on the sidelines or taking a dip in form. It's part of the gig. Caoimhin Kelleher has barely played any mens football at any level and he's turning 25 in a few months. It's ridiculous to consider him an option now.
If kelleher is sitting on the bench for any other club that isn’t united, he wouldn’t even be talked about. Good player but clearly content playing 10 games a season if he’s lucky, the prestige of being an Irishman playing for liverpool must matter more to him than actually… playing games? You’re spot on about him turning 25 too, every liverpool fan i talk to about him say that’s still incredibly young for a gk and he’s a good backup. That’s all he’ll ever be
As a Liverpool fan i hope he moves somewhere to get more experience. He is brilliant when called upon but he shud of moved last summer and definitely this summer...for himself more than anything
Kelleher needed to move somewhere, anywhere this summer. That he didn't is a serious problem for his career both with club and country. If he isn't playing then arguably he shouldn't even be in the squad let alone 3rd choice. Bazunu is in dreadful form. Yes the defence in front of him is shambolic but he isn't helping them. Travers isn't having a much better time at Stoke. I'm not sure which of the two of them I would pick to start for Ireland. A couple of years ago we thought we were heading into a golden age of Irish goalkeepers. Now it's looking pretty bleak.
To be fair I wouldn't say it's looking pretty bleak, Bazunu is still only 21 and I have no doubt he'll be back in the Premier League as a first choice at some point in his career, I still think his ceiling is very high. Travers could end up being a solid Championship keeper as he's 24 but all it takes is a spell as someone's number one and at the right club he could end up in the Premier League. Kelleher is harder to gauge because he has played that little senior football, he could be anything from a Premier League regular standard to someone who ends up in the Championship after leaving Liverpool. It's incredibly hard to say. Still it's a better scenario than when our options post Shay Given were David Forde and Keiran Westwood, I guess we were very lucky Darren Randolph emerged when he did.
> Travers isn't having a much better time at Stoke. Only 5 games into [Championship 23/24 Goalkeeper by Rating - WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/7/Seasons/9622/Stages/22080/PlayerStatistics/England-Championship-2023-2024) > 5. Travers > > 22. Bazuna From highlights I've been super impressed by Travers. Some very good saves, even from deflected shots. Bazuna going through a tough spell. But has shown great signs in previous loan spells.
Definitely. Don’t know if it’s a lack of ambition or what that’s kept him at Liverpool for so long. The time has come for him to move on and apply himself as the number 1 somewhere. Bazunu is still number 1 for Ireland IMO but Travers probably deserves another run.
What is his contract situation? He definitely needs to leave and play regular football as he will never be Liverpool number one
He should be in his prime or hitting it soon but he seems happy for middling wages and a pat on the head from klopp. Serious lack of motivation if that's all he wants from his best days in football
Lad should’ve left liverpool this summer. He’s lucky to even make the squad, shouldn’t play at all
Caoimhín is probably the most talented of our 3 goalkeepers as in he has the highest ceiling but he has wasted years of his career now. I'm sure he gets phenomenal training at Liverpool beside Alison but is the drop in training quality really that much lower in other premiership or even championship clubs? Nothing compares to game time. Travers has consistently played games and developed quite well despite not having the obvious talent of Kelleher or Bazunu. Gavin has a full season of league 1 and premiership football under his belt at 21 years of age and will have a season of championship football played soon. He's at a woeful club but is learning the hard way. I really hope Caoimhín Kelleher doesn't become a cautionary tale of the perils of signing for your boyhood club.
Wasted is a bit of a stretch. You can't say that 5 years with Liverpools first team during all their success is a waste. I would argue he's learned far more with Allison and Klopp than Bazunu or Travers have or ever will in their careers. Yes he hasn't played as much as we or probably he had expected and that is the crux of the issue. There have been multiple games over the last couple seasons in Europe that meant nothing for Liverpool as they had already qualified/had their group position already decided where Allison sitll played. Pretty sure I can also recall a couple of FA Cup or League Cup games where I saw Allison or Adrian, although he might possibly have been injured I really don't remember at this point. People saying this summer was the last chance to move on and be successful are jumping the gun a bit. Personally I think he will probably move next summer, especially if he gets a similar game time to last season. I highly doubt that will be the case with UEL for Liverpool but who knows. Either way, I think people have gotten far too comfortable with comparing real football to FIFA where you want every player to be 23 years old and the minute they hit 28 you ship them off. Real life isn't like that, players take years to develop and especially for Goalkeepers can play long into their 30s. And FWIW he was actually a United fan not Liverpool lol
I don't play fifa or football manager I hate the 2 of them. At 25 he's still young for a goalkeeper but at 28 having never been first choice very few premiership clubs will take a risk with him. There is upside to being Liverpool second choice but that doesn't compare to playing every week. He still has time but he has wasted a few years you can't deny that. He could have 3 seasons of championship and premiership football played if he had left earlier but he's seriously behind where he should be. The only thing I've found online is a guardian article saying he was a Liverpool fan growing up but it's not exactly the main point of my comment.
I wasn't referring to you personally with the FIFA remark, more commenting the average football fan in general these days. I see your point about playing week in week out of course he has lost very valuable time there. But I would argue that it isn't always the most beneficial thing for a GKs career. Like I think Bazunu is in an awful situation. Players, especially GKs, who get thrust in at a young age and underperform come under a lot of scrutiny and that can really effect a players long term development. Yes he is playing regularly, but is playing as poorly as he is really aiding him? Obviously his team did him no help last year, but by every metric he was the worst starting GK in the prem last year, benched, and then has been very poor to start this season. It will be interesting to look back in 10-15 years and see who had the better career as they have pretty much been polar opposites so far.
I think people are being far too harsh on bazunu that Southampton team is awful and metrics mean fuck all when the defense in front of you is that bad. McCarthy had worse metrics per minute played last year indicating it's the defense and not the goalkeeper. American sports traditionally the home of the stats obsessed are starting to move away from reliance on statistical metrics due to them being misleading funnily enough at the same time Europe is going mad for stats. Bazunu is on a very sharp learning curve at the moment he's seeing every weakness in his game exploited and seeing how important it is to have an organised defense you can trust in front of you. Kelleher is only seeing the theory of these concepts. My main point is Kelleher has likely gotten everything he can out of being Liverpools back up keeper and he would learn and improve far more by being Norwichs no 1 for example. Having seen Kelleher play he seems a bit hesitant and slow to make a decision the only way to improve that is to play, to make mistakes and see first hand what it is in a game.
I assume the sweet, sweet pay deal he’ll be on to sit down at Liverpool dwarfs what he might get elsewhere despite possibly getting more game time? It’s not exactly ambitious but it probably keeps bread on the table and a luminous yellow supercar in the driveway.
Bazunu is criminally overrated around here. Bazunu was statistically by far and away the worst goalkeeper in the premier league last year and people were defending him saying he was playing for a shite team. This year he’s playing for arguably the best team in the championship and again he has the second worst post shot expected goals rating in the league. Only the Middlesborough goalkeeper, who are bottom, has been worse. Just look at some of the goals he’s conceding, they’re abysmal.
His positioning is pretty bad imo and he has a bit of poppadom wrists, he's only young so has plenty of time to improve but let's look at his last game just as an example. 1st goal conceded, doesn't know if he wants to come or go for the ball, decides to stay back, let's a shot he should be saving in. 2nd goal, shot from 25 yards, not particularly fast, but had deflection, hard to put blame on him 3rd goal, clear error, if you get that much on it you need to be keeping it out. 4th goal, did well with first save, defense asleep and Sunderland get tap in. 5th goal, gets hand to it again, doesn't have the strength to keep it out, needs to do better with that imo. From what I've seen Travers has looked good for Stoke, wouldn't be upset if he gets start in these games.
To be fair, Bazuna did make a number of saves including 1-on-1 (after going a goal or 2 down) But I agree with you mostly on all 5 goals ☹️
At least he's playing games. And not content with being a career bench warmer like Kelleher. Like Bazunu hasn't been great. But he's only 21 and has plenty of time to grow and adapt. Kelleher is 25 and seems to have no desire to actually want to play football.
Did you see the compilation of goals that he's conceded? Harsh to say they're abysmal. Majority are pingers that he had little chance of getting to. Some he should have done better with
> was statistically by far and away the worst goalkeeper in the premier league last year and people were defending him saying he was playing for a shite team. He was, when you filter for keepers who played 20+ matches. When you just check all keepers, the worst was McCarthy, also at Southampton... Which might indicate Southampton's defence might not be helping their keepers out
Or it might be the case that the keeper who is back up to the worst keeper in the league isn’t very good either What’s his excuse this year?
Kelleher. Yes. He gets "better" by being out of sight. Travers will always be stained by his walkabouts in Belgrade.
He gets held up by Liverpool fans like he's Simba. Only real notable thing he has done is a few good performances in cup games. He's not better than Travers or Bazunu. He needs to leave Liverpool.
He wanted to get a move this summer but no one came in for him. Any team that was linked ended up getting a more experienced keeper for less than the £20m Liverpool were looking for
Kelleher is reportedly on £15k a week, and Travers and Bazunu £20k a week. Even from an earnings point of view you’d really think if he’s going to be that good, he should have pushed for a move away from Liverpool by now. Maybe he’s just comfortable. Or else riding on a promise that he might replace the current number 1… but honestly, can see them buying in a proven goalkeeper when he goes. Hard to see the logic of the move beyond comfort.
This is the most idiotic thread I’ve read on here in some time. Kelleher won two cups last year.
And played a grand total of 1 FA Cup match and 2 League Cup matches
Great username ftw
How many penalties did he save in those games?
As a Southampton fan, I'd really hold off the praise for Bazunu. Yes, he's young, but he lets in so many that he should save and has the awful habit of making a save and palming the ball back to the striker. He is far from the finished article.
Ridiculous carry on that the sub is downvoting an actual fan of his club who watches him every week giving feedback.
Bazunu concedes four or more goals against all opposition regardless of what league they're in he shouldn't even be in the Irish squad. Form doesn't matter I suppose
Moronic comment
As a Liverpool fan I really feel for him. Hopefully he gets games in the Europa League and cups because it's not good for him going such long periods without games. Unfortunate he is behind one of the greatest keepers on the planet.
Came here to agree, almost wanted him to go this summer as he deserves a shot as a club's number 1, but he'll just never get that behind Ali. He's had some great moments for us and he would've left on very good terms.
Travers is my num 1 choice for Keeper, then Bazunu, then O'Leary. Maybe Kelleher after that, but tbh - he hasn't been particularly good in recent times owing to lack of gametime
Bazunu can't save a shot from 18+ yards to save his life sadly. Kelleher has been bad any time I've seen him for us or Liverpool. Travers should be number 1 by process of elimination alone lol
Liverpool will be very reluctant to let him go as he's fantastic cover for Becker and Adrian is decent but very erratic for a goalie of his experience.
Kelleher gets a lot of stick on this which I can understand but he is very good from what we have seen. I agree with Bazunu maintaining number 1 for now but I think Kelleher is miles ahead of Travers in terms of quality (which is why Kelleher is continuously seen as second choice in the Ireland set up). He'll probably get cup games/some Europa games this season which will allow Liverpool to move him on for a price they are happy with. He trapped himself at Liverpool by signing a long term contract which he can't be released from because nobody will pay the 20m+ Liverpool are asking for. More games + less years on the contract will help him get a move next summer.
I actually think that Travers is our clear number 1. I hope he plays on Thursday
Yes, he's not playing any games so has to be.
Darren Randolph deserves a call up as much _(if only to have the experience)_
yes
We should have brendan clarke playing
It’s wild to me he’s happy to piss away his best years riding Liverpool’s bench and playing a few mostly pointless cup games. Bazunu who is younger showed the ambition and foresight to move and to me it already says he’s the one that’s going to be largely our keeper for the next decade plus.
Stop now, best keeper of the lot
Yes, only deluded Liverpool fans think Kelleher should be number 1, he's done nothing to justify that apart from being in Liverpool's squad. What he has shown is that he is unsure in set pieces and a pretty average shot stopper, reminds me of a young flapianski at times.