Jurgen Klopp gave one of his ex-players a nickname but it wasn’t enough to keep them at Liverpool
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
10:00, 25 Oct 2025
Former Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher has confessed that Jurgen Klopp’s description of him as the ‘world’s best back-up goalkeeper’ wasn’t enough to prevent him from departing Liverpool. Despite making 67 appearances for the reigning league champions over seven years, the Irishman was always second choice to Alisson Becker in his final three seasons at Anfield.
The 26-year-old was a dependable asset for both Klopp and Arne Slot, notably featuring in the finals of the UEFA Super Cup and EFL Cup, as well as delivering impressive performances in the Premier League and Champions League.
A penalty-saving specialist, Kelleher holds the record for the most penalty shootout saves (6) and penalty shootout victories (4) in Liverpool’s history. However, despite his achievements, being second choice to the Brazilian was not a role he coveted, particularly after the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili this past summer.
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He left the Reds for Brentford in a deal potentially worth up to £18.5million, with the opportunity to be a first-choice keeper too tempting to turn down.
It was Klopp who gave Kelleher his professional debut at Anfield and while he was a big fan of the goalkeeper, the shot-stopper wasn’t content with the label the German bestowed upon him following his outstanding performance in the 2022 EFL Cup final victory against Chelsea.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Jurgen Klopp(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Kelleher produced several crucial stops throughout the encounter before netting the winning penalty to secure Liverpool’s triumph. Following the match, the former Reds manager commented: “Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me. There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane.
“But to be honest for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No. 2 goalie in the world as well. The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more. So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right.
“And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class.” Despite Klopp’s acclaim, Kelleher confessed to talkSPORT that he doesn’t welcome such recognition, stating: “It’s not a title I want – I want to be playing week in, week out.”
Kelleher claimed his maiden Premier League medal last campaign but revealed in a discussion after joining Brentford that he nearly departed Anfield the previous summer. “The summer before I came close-ish to leaving,” the Republic of Ireland international revealed.
“Then throughout the whole season I was wanting to be a No.1 and obviously the next, and probably best time for me to move was going to be this summer. As it goes more towards the end of the season, you’re thinking about the next year and the next season.
He’ll take on Liverpool on Saturday for the first time since leaving the club(Image: Getty Images)
“It became apparent Brentford were interested in me – and I think once they registered their interest I was quite keen and things moved quite quickly then. It plays in the back of your mind the whole season. I wanted to be a No.1 and wanted to do that for this season.
“The last number of years, I was kind of more looking to get a move and to try being the No.1. So I don’t think it was a big thing for me whether it was this season or not. But I think the time, with one year left, added up to be right and the club obviously needed to make a decision as well and needed to sell.
“I played a lot last season and a lot the season before as well so I think, for me, the natural progression – and one that I’ve obviously been looking at for a number of years – is to be a No 1. I want to be that No.1 and show people that I’m quite a good No 1, as well.”
The Irishman won the Premier League title last season(Image: Getty Images)
Kelleher was encouraged to depart Liverpool by Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who insisted the goalkeeper possessed far too much ability to remain as a substitute. Speaking back in May, the Icelander declared: “I just want Caoimhin to go to a club where he will play. He has been playing at the highest level.
“Champions League, Premier League, done really well. I just want him to be happy and play regularly. I don’t mind where he goes so long as he is playing on a regular basis, he is too good not to be playing.”
On Saturday, Kelleher will face his former club for the first time since leaving, as Brentford play host to Liverpool, who are hoping to put an end to their three-match losing streak in the Premier League.
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