doaoimhín Kelleher knows the pain of being a perennial substitute, waiting for an opportunity to prove he is on par with Alisson. The Liverpool goalkeeper will have his second start of the season in the Premier League against Chelsea. The 25-year-old will once again be a substitute for his injured colleague and he knows that to become first choice, he will most likely have to leave Anfield to get rid of the frustration built up from being primarily an observer.
The Republic of Ireland international made 26 appearances for Liverpool last season, helping to defeat Sunday's opponents. in the Carabao Cup final. It was the second time Kelleher lifted the trophy after beating Chelsea, scoring a penalty in the shootout two years ago to give it prominence. He is known as the club's best darts player, but that has never been enough to unseat Alisson from the title he really wants.
“There will be frustration about not playing week after week,” Kelleher says. “But for the last few seasons I've known there will be opportunities to play as well, so in the back of my mind I still need to be ready. I can't not be prepared or not do the right things because there will be times when the opportunity will come to have the opportunity to play.
“There has been frustration but I have been professional because if I am not prepared I am not doing myself justice. I need to give myself the best opportunity to play the best I can.”
A good shot-stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Kelleher's performances have helped increase his value while potentially decreasing the number of teams that can afford him. Nottingham Forest made a late bid to sign Kelleher in August, but Liverpool were unwilling to sell. With Alisson ahead in the pecking order of Arne Slot and Giorgi Mamardashvili Set to arrive next summer, the prospect of Kelleher ever becoming number one at Anfield seems difficult.
“It works both ways,” Kelleher says. “I played many times last season and if you do well your rating goes up. The club will want to make good profits. My intention is to do the best I can and show my ability, play well and give the coach something to think about, maybe give him a headache. If I play so well, how can he eliminate me? Something like that. “That's where my head is at, trying to do the best I can to at least put some pressure on.”
Kelleher has never lost against Chelsea in three appearances and will look to add to that record at Anfield. This season has started with victories over Bournemouth and West Ham, the latter in the Carabao Cup. When Allison suffered his hamstring injury, which will keep him out for at least the next seven games, in the Crystal Palace Before the international break, Kelleher was absent due to illness. Czech international Vitezslav Jaros came off the bench to make his debut as Liverpool held on for their sixth Premier League win of the season.
“They've been brilliant every time I've played them,” Kelleher says of facing Chelsea. “Two finals too. Happy memories, I hope there are more. The penalty shootout (in 2022) is the main one, but last season was even more fun with the arrival of the young people from the quarry. That was special for everyone, being against the wall and winning in overtime.
“Playing against one of the biggest teams in England in a final, a big occasion, attracts a lot of attention from the world. So the first final was the first time I was in the spotlight – it was a good start to my career.”
Goalkeepers are often close to their rivals off the field, part of the bond they have formed because no one else understands them. While watching Alisson suffer four muscle injuries in less than a year is beneficial for Kelleher, it comes with the knowledge that his friend is suffering.
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“First of all, he's a teammate and I'm good friends with Ali, we're close, so I texted him to apologize for the injury,” Kelleher says. “It's not pleasant for him and I don't like that to happen to anyone, but it gives me the opportunity to play some games, which for me is a good thing.”
Slot has seen no reason to make a change in goal since replacing Jürgen Klopp, but was happy Kelleher did not leave. The Dutchman has changed things tactically on the pitch, but the trusted Brazilian remains the foundation of his team and when Alisson returns, Kelleher will almost certainly return to the bench.
“I spoke to the coach about the situation, but I was pretty clear about it before he came in and it was never going to change because the fact is that I am facing Alisson and he is one of the best in the world, so there is always Be the number one and will always play,” says Kelleher.
“There were other factors, such as negotiations with clubs and Liverpool who needed to be happy. It just didn't materialize and I didn't get any movement. But it's not the worst thing in the world to stay in a club like Liverpool.”
Kelleher will likely have a headache when he has to decide where to move next summer, but the short-term goal is to ensure that it's Slot who needs an aspirin.
