Arne Slot’s former player has been in stellar form this season
A former Arne Slot star has been in tremendous form this season(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher is demonstrating to Arne Slot just how talented he is, making an excellent start to life at Brentford. The 27-year-old departed Liverpool for the Bees last summer in an £18million transfer, bringing his decade-long association with Anfield to a close.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made 67 senior appearances for the Reds under both Jurgen Klopp and Slot, but challenging Alisson Becker for the number one spot proved beyond his reach.
When Liverpool agreed to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024 for £29m in a deal that was officially completed last summer, Kelleher’s future at Anfield appeared sealed – and it was a departure the Irishman actively sought to advance his career.
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Kelleher will have no second thoughts about his switch to west London, having featured in every match during Brentford’s impressive campaign so far, with the club currently occupying seventh place in the Premier League standings.
Before the Bees’ opening fixture of the season, the goalkeeper revealed that his wish to leave Merseyside had been weighing on him for some time. In an interview with The Telegraph, Kelleher said: “The summer before I came close-ish to leaving (Liverpool).
“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. So, I was just focusing on last season trying to do well and play well. As it goes more towards the end of the season, you’re thinking about the next year and the next season.
“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.
“To be fair, 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.”
Kelleher – who has saved more penalties than anyone else in the league this season (2) – has also made the joint-fourth highest number of saves (58), with his impressive displays earning significant acclaim from Ben Foster.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper discussed Kelleher’s performances on talkSPORT back in November, saying: “He’s been phenomenal this season. I think what he’s been exposed to at Liverpool, because he played quite a few games at Liverpool. Don’t forget, Alisson had quite a few spells where he’s been out injured.
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“I think the way he handled himself at Liverpool, for one, was phenomenal, absolutely brilliant performances, really calm and measured. But I think that comes off the back of one, obviously his character, I think that’s just how he is as a person anyway.
“But secondly, just being surrounded by Alisson as the no. 1 goalkeeper, getting to watch that week in, week out. Because if you watch him play, Alisson, he is the personification of calmness under pressure. Any moment, you know that he’s in full control of everything he’s doing.”
