Liverpool 23/24 Season Review: Caoimhin Kelleher | OneFootball

Caoimhín Kelleher: A Season of Highs and Lows for Liverpool’s Goalkeeper

Once you’ve been to the top of the mountain it can be hard to go back down. Caoimhín Kelleher’s 2023/24 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions and performances, as seen from his stats and game ratings. The Irish goalkeeper, playing for Liverpool, has shown moments of brilliance as well as instances where he struggled. In this article, we delve into his season’s standout moments, both good and bad, and provide an overall assessment of his performance.

Headline Numbers

Caoimhín Kelleher’s key stats for the 2023/24 season provide a snapshot of his contributions and challenges. With 10 appearances in the Premier League, Kelleher managed to keep 2 clean sheets while conceding 11 goals. His involvement extended beyond the league, with significant playtime in the Europa League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup. In the Europa League, Kelleher featured in 8 matches, conceding 5 goals and keeping 3 clean sheets, showcasing his ability to perform on the European stage.

Photo: IMAGO

His presence in the EFL Cup saw him play 6 matches, where he conceded 1 goal and kept 4 clean sheets, a testament to his crucial role in Liverpool’s cup run. In the FA Cup, he participated in 2 matches, conceding 4 goals but still demonstrating his potential as a reliable backup. Overall, Kelleher’s season totals stand at 26 appearances, 2400 minutes played, 11 clean sheets across all competitions, and a mixed bag of performances that have been crucial in various stages of Liverpool’s campaigns.

Biggest High

Only one performance and day you could point to. Kelleher’s most remarkable performance of the season came during the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. His heroics in extra time were instrumental in Liverpool clinching the trophy. Kelleher made several crucial saves throughout the match, including decisive stops in the shootout that secured Liverpool’s victory. His WhoScored.com rating for this match was an impressive 8.55, reflecting his outstanding contributions and cementing his status as a key player in Liverpool’s cup success. He was brilliant away at Forest too in a 1-0 victory, but a Wembley final hits different

Biggest Low

However, the season was not without its low points for Kelleher. The Europa League quarter-final home defeat to Atalanta was a match to forget. Liverpool’s 3-0 loss was marred by Kelleher’s inability to keep out Atalanta’s first goal, a mistake that set the tone for the rest of the game. His performance earned him a disappointing WhoScored.com rating of 5.6, his lowest of the season. This game was a stark reminder of the challenges that come with goalkeeping at the highest level. Kelleher’s greatest weakness and greatest unfairness he faces is that he’s not Allison Becker. But that’s the standard.

Overall Thoughts

Caoimhín Kelleher’s 2023/24 season has been a testament to his potential and resilience. He took a real leap forward and while he has demonstrated his capacity to deliver match-winning performances, there have been moments that highlighted the need for further development. Looking ahead, Kelleher will undoubtedly aim to iron out the inconsistencies in his performances and ensure he gets more. The coming season will be crucial as he seeks to establish himself as more than just a backup option.

Nottingham Forest’s £15 million bid in January, which Liverpool turned down, is indicative of the interest he has garnered and the belief in his potential. Whether Liverpool will continue to hold on to him or if Kelleher seeks regular first-team football elsewhere remains to be seen. His future could hinge on his ability to consistently deliver high-calibre performances and command a starting role, either at Liverpool or another club.