Caoimhin Kelleher, goalkeeper - Liverpool FC
Caoimhin Kelleher is a goalkeeper who has built a reputation as a penalty-shootout specialist since joining Liverpool FC in the summer of 2015.
The Republic of Ireland international switched to the Reds from Ringmahon Rangers and progressed through the ranks at the Academy up to senior-team duties, where he has won four shootouts - the most of any 'keeper in the club's history.
The most memorable of those successes came in the 2022 Carabao Cup final, where he made a string of vital saves and then scored Liverpool's decisive penalty in an 11-10 shootout victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
He made eight appearances overall in 2021-22 and also collected an FA Cup winner's medal.
Kelleher's journey from the Academy to establishing himself as Alisson Becker's deputy began when he made three friendly appearances ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, which would end with him collecting a winner's medal as an unused substitute when Jürgen Klopp's team defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final.
He took further strides in the next season, achieving his Reds debut in the Carabao Cup against Milton Keynes Dons and playing two more games in that competition, producing a vital save in the penalty shootout win over Arsenal at Anfield.
Kelleher was also part of the youngest ever Liverpool team when Shrewsbury Town were beaten 1-0 in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.
The 'keeper was named on the bench in the Premier League on seven occasions across 2019-20 and received another medal when Liverpool got their hands on the title.
In December 2020, Kelleher made his Champions League and Premier League debuts in quick succession as he filled in for the injured Alisson and kept clean sheets in wins over AFC Ajax and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
He ended that campaign with five senior outings in total and then, in June 2021, put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with Liverpool and also made his senior international debut.
As the team's designated Europa League goalkeeper, and due to a long-term Alisson injury, in 2023-24 Kelleher made almost 30 appearances and recorded another Wembley clean sheet as Chelsea were again beaten in the League Cup showpiece.
Date of birth
23 November 1998
Nationality
Irish
Honours
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ReactionCaoimhin Kelleher: We're bitterly disappointed - it's tough to take. Caoimhin Kelleher acknowledged Liverpool were very much second-best to Newcastle United in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
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Video and photosConor Bradley and Caoimhin Kelleher take on darts challenge with Stephen Bunting. Darts star and Liverpool fan Stephen Bunting recently visited the AXA Training Centre for a special challenge against two members of the Reds squad.