Arne Slot Makes Caoimhin Kelleher Admission as the Liverpool Second- choice Goalkeeper is Expected to Step Aside for Giorgi Mamardashvili in Summer
Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot has shared his thoughts on the role of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has played a pivotal part during the first half of the season.
Slot has admitted the significant challenge Kelleher faces as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper, serving as a backup to the club’s first-choice, Alisson Becker.
The Irish shot-stopper has been crucial for Liverpool, featuring in 13 matches this season. His performances have come as a response to Alisson’s limited availability, with the Brazilian making just 10 appearances due to injuries. Kelleher’s contributions have been vital in Liverpool’s pursuit of Premier League and Champions League success.
Looking ahead, Kelleher is expected to step aside in the summer, as Liverpool prepares to welcome Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. Slot also highlighted the distinct challenges associated with being a backup goalkeeper in a top club.
“It’s one of the most difficult jobs in football if the first goalkeeper is always available because you work for the whole season, and you hardly ever have a chance to play because you normally don’t come on 10 or 15 minutes before the end,” said the Reds head coach.
“He’s, unfortunately for us, but good for him, already played quite a lot of minutes. I think if we make a list of players of the amount of minutes, there will be players that have far less playing time than him.
“I think he can look back on the first half of the season for himself as a positive first half of the season. We as a club, of course, hope that all the players will be available for the second half of the season so he will not make the amount of minutes that he made in the first half. But we are really fortunate to have such a great second goalkeeper, that, if we need him, he’s able to do as well as he’s done.”
Federico Chiesa is expected to get some game time under Slot’s management after returning to the bench for the Fulham match.
Having made just three appearances this season, with his last outing in the Carabao Cup against West Ham back in September, Slot remains cautious about easing Chiesa back into action too quickly, given his persistent injury struggles at Anfield.
“It’s definitely a moment where he can get minutes,” said Slot. “The amount of minutes is a question mark. You cannot expect him to play 90, especially at this level where the intensity is so high because he has been out for five or six months now.”
Slot is also strategising rest periods for key players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah.
However, he faces defensive challenges, with Andy Robertson serving a suspension and both Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley unavailable.
Kostas Tsimikas is likely to step in, while Slot has suggested he may turn to the club’s youth players, who played a crucial role in Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea in the final back in February.
In other news, Contact Made: Liverpool and Slot Eyeing Move to Sign £40m+ Star with 16 G/A in 2024/25 – Report
