Caoimhin Kelleher is too good to play for Liverpool again and would undoubtedly be Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper.
That’s the opinion of The Pitch Prospect’s Jason Cundy, who heaped praise on the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper.
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Kelleher continued to deputize for the injured Alisson in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League win at RB Leipzig and impressed with a series of fine saves.
The 25-year-old has previously expressed his frustration at being the Reds’ number 2 and stressed he is ready to take on the responsibility of being first choice – even if it means leaving the club permanently.
And his stance was strengthened this summer after Liverpool acquired Giorgi Mamardashvili from Spanish youth club Valencia.
The Georgian goalkeeper will arrive at Anfield next summer, leaving coach Arne Slot with three goalkeepers who all deserve a starting place.
Cundy praised the Irishman after his recent performances against Chelsea and Leipzig and drew comparisons to Blues first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
“What really became clear to me over the weekend was that Chelsea’s No.1 isn’t as good as Liverpool’s No.2,” Cundy said at Sports Bar. “Whenever I see Kelleher play he looks top notch.
“Sometimes when you see a goalkeeper come into the game with the number 2, you can see that the defense drops back a little deeper or that they are hesitant to play back passes.”
“When Kelleher is in goal and has played a lot over the last 18 months to two years, both in the Carabao Cup and the Champions League, he never looks out of place.
“Liverpool don’t look any weaker with him in goal and that’s a huge addition by the way.
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“If you’re a Liverpool fan, I know Mamardashvili is coming, but you don’t want Kelleher to go either. He’s too good to be number two.
“I want Kelleher [at Chelsea].”
Kelleher, whose contract runs into the final 12 months next summer, faces an uncertain future on Merseyside.
The backup goalkeeper isn’t a bad goalkeeper at all.
According to Opta, his 16 saves this season have a goals prevented value of 3.0, just above Alisson’s 2.6 in the 2024-25 season.
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, but the club have been reluctant to let Kelleher leave, despite a number of public pleas for him to move on.
“I’ve made it clear over the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be number one,” Kelleher said last month.
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“The club made the decision to sign a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili), which makes it seem like they have made a decision to go in a different direction.
“Liverpool also turned down a few offers. It is not always in my hands to make the full decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough and I want to play week in, week out.”