These are all really good signs for the 22-year-old after he played five games last year for the Reds, including two starts in the Champions League.

The shot-stopper from Cork also managed to keep two clean sheets, impressing manager Jurgen Klopp and many of the fans. This led to getting his first international cap for Ireland, coming on as a substitute against Hungary early this month.

Liverpool has made it clear that they do not want to loan out Kelleher this summer. Instead, he would be the backup option to Brazilian keeper, Alisson Becker.

Spanish goalkeeper Adrian has also signed a new deal at the club but after mistakes last season in his four competitive starts, most fans believe that Kelleher is now higher in the pecking order.

Kelleher said about the new contract:

“I am happy to get it over the line and finally done; it was in the pipeline for a few months with negotiations and stuff, so I am delighted to get it done.”

Caoimhin Kelleher:

“I think staying at a club like Liverpool where the quality of training is up there with the best in the world, the standard of players I’m training with and the goalkeepers I’m learning from is the best I can get.” #awlive [lfc] pic.twitter.com/Jx0dQJTs5y

— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) June 24, 2021

Good for Liverpool, good for Ireland

This is also good news for Ireland as we will have another keeper playing at the highest level. He missed out on games for Ireland and Liverpool at the end of the season due to an abdominal tear.

It is expected that Manchester City’s Gavin Bazunu will go out on loan this season so the 19-year-old can improve.

Hopefully, Kelleher will see even more game time this year as he is one of Ireland’s brightest young talents.

Speaking on last season, Kelleher added:

“It was a big year for me in terms of playing the first-team games this year and more important games. Being thrown into the Champions League and Premier League games was big for my development and being able to handle that.”

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Caoimhin Kelleher is reportedly set for a return from injury this weekend after being ruled out of action since last month.

Stephen Kenny confirmed Kelleher is a doubt for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Luxembourg in a Q&A last Thursday. However, an appearance on the bench or otherwise at the weekend would suggest a return to fitness.

Kieren Westwood also started for Sheffield Wednesday yesterday, making a swift return from a rib injury he suffered a couple of weeks ago.

The availability of the two ‘keepers is a massive boost to Ireland boss Stephen Kenny who’ll be without established first-choice goalkeeper, Darren Randolph, for the upcoming World Cup qualification games.

Other than the aforementioned two, there are a handful of other choices available for selection.

Perhaps the most exciting being Gavin Bazunu. The current Rochdale ‘keeper has enjoyed a constructive spell this season while on loan from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old was recently voted as the Supporters’ Player of the Month for February after a string of impressive performances. Form which he has carried into this month, also.

The Irish senior squad is set to be announced on Thursday for the fixtures starting on the 24^th of March.

Congratulations, Gavin! #RAFC

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) March 12, 2021

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Darren Randolph has been ruled out of Ireland’s upcoming World Cup qualification games against Serbia and Luxembourg, Stephen Kenny has confirmed.

He also revealed that current Liverpool backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher is a doubt, potentially ruling him out of contention of what would be his first senior international cap.

James McCarthy, Jack Byrne, Kieren Westwood and John Egan are also injured, meaning they’ll be unavailable.

In more positive news, Séamus Coleman has been passed fit for the upcoming fixtures as Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his availability for their game against Burnley on the weekend.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

With Randolph, Westwood and Kelleher injured, there aren’t many options to pick from as the first-choice goalkeeper.

In fact, the most experienced option of the lot is Mark Travers. The current Bournemouth goalkeeper made two appearances for the national team in 2019 but hasn’t featured since, mainly due to lack of match time at club level and the presence of Darren Randolph.

Gavin Bazunu is another option and one that would certainly excite many Ireland fans. The 19-year-old goalkeeper has long been considered a top prospect in Ireland despite his age. Bazunu is on loan at Rochdale from Manchester City this season and out of all the realistic choices Ireland have in terms of goalkeepers, he’s arguably in the best form and has played the most games.

That said though, throwing a 19-year-old with no prior involvement in the senior national side into the deep end would be a risk, particularly in games of this magnitude.

Also, if he was to make a mistake leading to a goal, it could be detrimental to his confidence.

Other options that could fill in include Max O’Leary, Jack Bonham, Kieran O’Hara, Rob Elliot and Ian Lawlor.

Darren Randolph ruled out of Ireland’s upcoming World Cup games, according to Stephen Kenny on an Ireland fans Q & A.

— Paul O’Hehir (@paulohehir) March 11, 2021

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Caoimhin Kelleher is set to make his first start of 2021 as Liverpool take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup 3^rd round.

The Cork native played – and impressed – in a handful of games throughout December but Alisson’s return from injury demoted him to the bench as backup keeper.

Kelleher managed to keep a clean sheet in 2 of the 3 matches he played in December, including a man of the match performance against European giants Ajax.

Tonight he will be keeping out a youthful Aston Villa side comprised of their u23 and u18 players.

They get their opportunity after a coronavirus outbreak within the first team squad ruled out senior players from competing.

Liverpool, despite the inexperience of their opposition, have fielded a strong XI comprised of first team players.

The more notable players in the Liverpool squad include Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Fabinho.

Every single player in the Liverpool starting XI has seen first team minutes this season. In contrast, none of the Aston Villa squad have senior minutes under their belt this season.

There were rumours that fellow Corkman Tyreik Wright may make his competitive Aston Villa debut tonight. He, however, has not made the squad list.

Wright trained with the Aston Villa first team during the summer. His exclusion may be a result of the teenager training with the first team recently.

#FACup team news is in…

How the Reds line-up to face @AVFCOfficial #AVLLIV | #FACup

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 8, 2021

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Ringmahon man Caoimhin Kelleher was named as Liverpool’s starting keeper for their Champions League group stage fixture against Ajax tonight. Tonight marked the young goalkeeper’s Champions League debut, having previously played a handful of domestic cup competitions.

Liverpool’s first choice keeper, Alisson, was ruled out with a tight leg muscle thus giving the youngster an opportunity. Nevertheless, Klopp shown remarkable trust in Kelleher. Regular backup keeper, Adrian, only sat on the bench for tonight’s encounter.

The game itself was a crucial tie. A Liverpool loss would have meant a drop to 2^nd in the group, at least.

In the end, Liverpool came out of Anfield with a 1-0 win – with thanks to a solid Caoimhin Kelleher performance. The Irishman kept Ajax out on a number of occasions, including a instinctive reflex save towards the end of the match. He commanded his area like a seasoned pro and looked very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Once the final whistle blew, an elated Jurgen Klopp ran straight towards Caoimhin Kelleher as he and a number of the first team heaped praise on the young keeper.

Liverpool have now qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, finishing top of their group. Atalanta and Ajax will now battle it out next week for a place in the Champions League last 16.

Liverpool face a tough challenge at the weekend against Wolves and with Alisson ruled out for that game, there’s a chance Caoimhin Kelleher could be in for his Premier League debut. His performance tonight will be hard for Klopp to ignore in terms of his selection. He will, however, face stiff competition from Adrian.

𝗪𝗢𝗪. 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗪.

Stellar showing from Kelleher today pic.twitter.com/0A7PC9nCWA

— Liverpool FC USA (@LFCUSA) DECEMBER 1, 2020

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