BRUCE: KELLS IS A KEEPER
Grobbelaar backs Caoimhin to replace Anfield No.1 Alisson
LIVERPOOL legend Bruce Grobbelaar says Caoimhin Kelleher is the best candidate to succeed Alisson Becker long term, if the Brazilian ever leaves.
But the former Reds goalkeeper appreciates the bind Corkman Kelleher faces – for club and country – as Jürgen Klopp’s second-choice shot-stopper.
Kelleher joined Liverpool’s academy from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015 and has made 33 first-team appearances since his debut in September 2019.
Twelve of those have come this season and that’s more appearances under the belt than in any of the four previous seasons.
Kelleher has a Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley to look forward to on February 25, with Klopp already indicating he will start.
But generally playing second fiddle to Alisson has cost him No.1 status with Ireland, having won 11 senior caps compared to Gavin
Bazunu’s 21.
Klopp has always been a huge fan but the German is leaving Anfield at the end of the season and Celtic are strongly linked with Kelleher.
But Kelleher will also have interest from within the Premier League as Brighton, Brentford and Wolves were among those linked last summer, as were Leicester City.
Grobbelaar, who won six league titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and a European Cup with Liverpool during a stunning 13-year spell from 1981 to 1994, feels Kelleher should be Liverpool’s No.1 if Alisson leaves.
The Brazilian was wanted by top Saudi sides last summer but is under contract with the Reds until 2027.
Grobbelaar, 66, said: “When you’re learning from the best and you take over from them you know what style we’re playing.
“I think he’s a smashing keeper. He’s brilliant, has got a calm sense for a 25-year-old but a strong head.
“Alisson is No.1 in the world. But
Caoimhin Kelleher is up there with the best. He’s among the best 10 to 12 goalkeepers in the world. I’d put him up there.”
Even if Kelleher does bite the bullet and leave Liverpool, Grobbelaar reckons the club will include a buy-back option in any transfer deal.
“If Alisson does leave Liverpool, then Caoimhin is automatically brought back. That’s the only way I can see that happening. It might be good for the young man,” he said.
And Grobbelaar continued: “At the moment, he’s learning from the best goalkeeper in the world and he’s getting some game time.
“From an Irish point of view, they would probably want him to play more games to become the Irish No.1.
“I would rather be playing all the time. That’s just my opinion. He gets his games in the Europa League and League Cup.
“For him to become Ireland’s No.1, he will need to go somewhere. But the only way I can see him leaving is if Liverpool include a buy-back clause for when Alisson leaves.”