Caoimhin Kelleher is the best number two goalkeeper in the world and Liverpool are lucky to still have him at their club.
Arne Slot’s side are very fortunate to have two world-class goalkeepers in Alisson Becker and Kelleher but how long can they hold onto their number two?
“Caoimhin Kelleher is a world-class goalkeeper. The young Irishman is amongst the best keepers in the world.
“Just think how good Kelleher could be with another six years of experience and coaching. His potential is frightening!” Jurgen Klopp (former Liverpool boss) commented on the addition Kelleher has made to Liverpool.
The Irishman made an appearance sooner than expected when Alisson was caught with a hamstring injury in early October leaving him out for six weeks.
The injury occurred against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park where Alisson was replaced by Vítězslav Jaroš in the 79th minute.
Since the injury, Kelleher has made four Premier League appearances along with two Champions League performances notably with no losses and three clean sheets.
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman feels it is “disrespectful” for Caoimhin Kelleher to be considered a number two goalkeeper’ (Per TNT) after The Redmen’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.
Despite currently being Liverpool’s number two, Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive to the Merseyside club next summer after signing for an initial fee of approximately £25 million from Valencia.
Kelleher told The Guardian, “There is going to be frustration not playing week in, week out.
“But for the last few seasons I have known there will be opportunities to play as well, so it was in the back of my mind that I still need to be ready.
“I can’t not be ready or not doing the right things because there will be times when the opportunity comes to get a chance to play.”
His performances have helped him to increase his market value and to become a great signing for any team who can afford him but with Alisson ahead of him and Mamardashvili coming into the team next summer, will there ever be a chance for him to become Liverpool’s number one?
“My intention is to do as well as I can and show my ability, play well and give the manager something to think about, give him a headache maybe.
“If I play so well, how can he take me out? Something like that. That is where my head is at, just to try to do as well as I can to put some pressure on at least.”
So, who else could also be considered the best backup keeper in the world?
- Stefan Ortega – Manchester City
- Andriy Lunin – Real Madrid
- Iñaki Peña Sotorres – Barcelona
Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega has been at the club for 2 years and has put in some solid performances over this time.
The German has made 12 appearances in the Premier League with three clean sheets alongside this and like Kelleher no losses.
A recent performance in the Champions League saw The Citizens win 5-0 against AC Sparta Praha making a memorable performance for the German national although only blocking one shot on target.
Another competitor could be Real Madrid’s Lunin who, like Kelleher, has come in for Thibaut Courtois who suffered an adductor injury in his left leg.
The 25-year-old has appeared three times this season in La Liga with two clean sheets and an assist – also appearing twice in the UCL.
Sergio Segura, the goalkeeping coach at Real Oviedo, told ESPN in an interview “Quite honestly, we haven’t had a goalkeeper like him.
“I asked him what he wanted, fed off him.
“He trained me as much as I trained him, or more. And he was so focused.
“He was also honest, very clear in what he wanted. He wanted to come, train, play and go back to Madrid.”
At the start of the 24/25 season, there were suggestions of Lunin leaving Real Madrid as a result of Courtois returning to the squad but he signed a contract extending his stay for three more years.
The likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG are all interested in signing the Ukrainian keeper, therefore demonstrating the sheer potential he has.
An unfortunate turn of events for Barcelona’s number one goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen meant a massive step up for Peña as he will replace him for the rest of the season.
Since stepping in for Stegen, the Spaniard has made eight appearances in La Liga and three in the UCL with an average of a 69.6% save percentage per game.
Lunin and Peña went head-to-head with each other at the end of October where Barcelona dominated Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – whilst Peña made an impressive seven saves during the match, Lunin failed to stop all four goals from reaching the back of the net.
There is no doubt of competition on who’s the best backup goalkeeper in the world as there is a vast selection of candidates.
However, Kelleher has already achieved so much throughout his career and is yet to hit his peak with only being 25-years-old meaning he is certainly one to watch in the future especially if he makes a transfer over the summer.
Who do you think the best number two goalkeeper in the world is?
Who do YOU think is the best second choice goalkeeper in the world? 🧤⚽️
— Park Life Sport (@ParkLife_Sport) November 15, 2024
