Liverpool were not quite at their best on Wednesday evening but still had enough to see off RB Leipzig.
After a bit of a shaky start the Reds then dominated much of the proceedings, with Darwin Nunez’s first-half goal ultimately enough to win the three points.
Although it could easily have been more – and Liverpool should have had a penalty – the narrow lead made for some nervous moments in the second-half especially.
Thankfully, Caoimhin Kelleher was on hand to bail his team out on more than one occasion.
Kelleher has been excellent whenever given the opportunity throughout his Liverpool career. With Alisson Becker still injured, the Reds are lucky to know that they can count on the Irishman.
Steve McManaman called Kelleher’s display against Leipzig ‘outstanding‘ and the 25-year-old deserved those superlatives being lavished on him. As it turns out, though, not everyone was as impressed.
Troy Deeney unconvinced by Caoimhin Kelleher
It remains to be seen just how long Liverpool need Kelleher between the sticks for. But it’s definitely going to be at least the next five games.
Having remarkably already made the same amount of appearances this season as he did in the whole of 2022/23, Kelleher is getting the game time he so craves.
Ask any Liverpool supporter, and while they’d no doubt prefer to have their No.1 fit and available, they feel completely secure with Kelleher being there, too.
That reputation has been earned over 51 appearances in which the Liverpool academy graduate has more than proven his worth. But speaking to CBS Sports Golazo after the Reds’ win over Leipzig, former Watford striker Troy Deeney claimed that it’s still hard to know what Kelleher’s level truly is.
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“He’s come in for very small periods, eight, nine games to deliver,” says Deeney. “He’s got the best centre-back in world football in front of him, probably one of the best right-backs and a real good team that’s organised and set up.
“There’s not one save he’s made there that’s a top save. There’s one where he comes rushing out and they should score because he comes rushing out.
“Doing it over a 40 game season and over eight games at a time is compeltely different,” adds the former striker. “I just think when you’re in this situation I want to see a little bit more from him. Will he go on to do it? I don’t know.”
Troy Deeney misses the point
Deeney’s point that it’s harder to be consistent for a full season than for a handful of games at a time is of course true. There’s no getting away from that.
However, he totally ignores the fact that while Kelleher may have top players around him, he is still exposed as a goalkeeper.
There’s no chance to blend in and let others take the heat. Kelleher has had to make save after save after save during his time at Liverpool and has stepped up to show that he can do whatever is needed.
The matter of rhythm is also skipped over by Deeney. Being chucked in as an outfielder to occasionally play is starkly different to the job a back-up goalie has to do over small patches of games when called upon.
There’s a reason why Liverpool valued Kelleher at £30m last summer. Most of the world is now starting to see that, even if Deeney isn’t. Honestly, though, Troy, what more could he possibly be doing?
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