62 Caoimhin Kelleher

• Full Name: Caoimhín Odhrán Kelleher
• Date of Birth: November 23, 1998
• Place of Birth: Cork, Ireland
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Current Club: Liverpool (Premier League)
• National Team: Republic of Ireland

Early Life & Academy Years

Born in Cork, Ireland, Kelleher attended Presentation Brothers College while playing for local club Ringmahon Rangers. His talent earned him a move to Liverpool’s academy in 2015, where he quickly rose through the ranks.

Club Career

Liverpool: From Academy to First Team

2018–2019: Early Exposure & Champions League Glory

🔴 2018 Pre-Season: Featured in Liverpool’s summer tour.
✍️ August 2018: Signed a new contract with Liverpool.
🏆 2019 Champions League Final: Unused substitute in the win vs. Tottenham, becoming the 12th Irish player to win the trophy.

2019–2021: First-Team Breakthrough

⚽ September 2019: Competitive debut vs. MK Dons (EFL Cup, 2-0 win, clean sheet).
💪 December 2020:

• Champions League debut vs. Ajax (1-0 win, clean sheet).
• Premier League debut vs. Wolves (4-0 win, clean sheet).
  ⬆️ Promoted to Liverpool’s No. 2 goalkeeper, ahead of Adrián.
  ✍️ June 2021: Signed a long-term contract until 2026.

2022–2025: Cup Hero & Stepping Up

2022 EFL Cup Final: Penalty-Saving Legend

🏆 Started the final vs. Chelsea and scored the winning penalty in an 11–10 shootout victory.

2022–23 Season: Record-Breaking Penalty Stopper

⚽ November 2022: Saved three penalties vs. Derby County (EFL Cup), breaking Pepe Reina’s record for most penalty saves in club history.

2023–24 Season: Captain for a Night & Another EFL Cup Win

🧤 September 2023: Wore the Liverpool captain’s armband for the final 12 minutes vs. Leicester.
🏆 February 2024: Started in another EFL Cup final win vs. Chelsea (1-0), making several crucial saves.

2024–25 Season: Filling Alisson’s Boots

🚑 October 2024: Became Liverpool’s starting keeper after Alisson’s injury.
🔥 Champions League Heroics:

• Saved a Kylian Mbappé penalty vs. Real Madrid in a 2-0 win.
• Back-to-back penalty saves (Premier League & UCL) – a first in Liverpool’s 115-year history.

International Career

🇮🇪 Ireland U17–U21: Played in the 2015 UEFA U17 Euros and progressed through the youth ranks.
🇮🇪 Senior Debut: June 8, 2021, vs. Hungary (0-0 draw).
🧤 November 2024: Saved a penalty vs. Finland to secure a Nations League playoff spot.

Playing Style & Strengths

✅ Penalty Specialist: Has won multiple shootouts for Liverpool.
✅ Calm & Composed: Strong under pressure in big games.
✅ Ball-Playing Keeper: Comfortable distributing from the back.
🚑 Limited Game Time: Needs more first-team football to develop fully.

Future: Stay or Move?

With Alisson as Liverpool’s No. 1, will Kelleher settle for the cup-keeper role, or will he seek a starting spot elsewhere? Ireland’s No. 1 spot is his to lose—can he also become Liverpool’s first-choice?