“Liverpool Ace Told to Chase Fresh Start After Dismal Fulham Showing”
“Liverpool Star Urged to Seek New Challenge After Nightmare Display Against Fulham”
After Arsenal slipped up with a 1–1 draw at Everton on Saturday, Liverpool mirrored their rivals’ misstep with a 3–2 loss to Fulham on Sunday—a result that may have marked the beginning of the end for one player in particular.
Arne Slot’s side had the chance to pull 14 points clear at the top with a win in west London, but Fulham had other plans. Goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi, and Rodrigo Muniz sealed a memorable win for Marco Silva’s team.
Key Stat: The 3–2 defeat marks Liverpool’s first Premier League loss of the season.
While stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk struggled, much of the post-match spotlight fell on Caoimhin Kelleher. With Alisson Becker sidelined, Kelleher made his 20th appearance of the season but endured a shaky outing—raising serious questions about his future, especially with Giorgi Mamardashvili reportedly waiting in the wings.
Kelleher’s Tough Day Raises Exit Talk
Could this performance bring down the curtain on his 67-game Anfield career?
Make no mistake—Alisson, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s all-time great goalkeepers, remains Arne Slot’s undisputed No.1. However, debate continues to swirl around who should serve as his understudy.
With Alisson sidelined after failing concussion protocols, Caoimhin Kelleher was handed the gloves as Liverpool aimed to capitalize on Arsenal’s dropped points. Instead, the Irish keeper found himself at the heart of a costly defeat.
Kelleher had played the full 90 minutes in the recent 1–0 win over Everton, but prior to that, his appearances were largely limited to cup competitions—underlining his secondary role within Slot’s goalkeeping ranks.
Slot’s decision to start Kelleher—albeit out of necessity—ultimately backfired, as the keeper found himself culpable for multiple Fulham goals. For Alex Iwobi’s 32nd-minute strike, a deflection may have played its part, but Kelleher’s poor positioning left him exposed.
Fulham’s third goal sealed the narrative. After Rodrigo Muniz muscled Van Dijk off the ball, he calmly slotted the finish through Kelleher’s legs—a moment that drew groans from the away end, with the Irishman failing to make what looked like a routine stop.
Across the 90 minutes, Kelleher managed just three saves—only one from inside the box—despite Fulham peppering Liverpool’s goal, particularly in the first half. He registered a single high claim, one punch, and one clearance. His struggles extended to distribution too, with only 3 of his 13 long balls finding a teammate, and a pass accuracy of just 76% (31 out of 41).
Perhaps the most telling stat? Kelleher conceded 1.22 more goals than expected—a damning figure that underlined a performance full of nerves and uncertainty when Liverpool needed stability most.
Kelleher’s shaky display comes at a time when Giorgi Mamardashvili is making headlines for all the right reasons. The Georgian international—whose form had been under scrutiny—earned widespread praise in Spain after a standout performance for Valencia against Real Madrid, silencing critics and reminding everyone of his immense potential ahead of Euro 2024.
With Mamardashvili rising and Kelleher faltering, the contrast couldn’t be starker. For the Irishman, a summer exit may be the wisest move—for his career and for Liverpool. While he’s typically been dependable, Kelleher has proven he has the quality to be a No.1 elsewhere—and regular football may be the only way to reignite his trajectory.
Caoimhin Kelleher – 2024/25 Season Stats
Anfield Cries for Alisson’s Return
“Might be a good thing we’re selling Kelleher,” one fan noted, echoing the growing sentiment among the Liverpool faithful.
It would be hard to single out any Liverpool player who emerged with credit from the disappointing afternoon at Craven Cottage. The performance lacked the cohesion expected of a title-chasing side—but it’s Kelleher who has borne the brunt of the backlash.
On X (formerly Twitter), fans voiced their frustration, with many suggesting the Irishman’s display fell well below the standard expected of any Liverpool goalkeeper—starter or not. The consensus? He simply didn’t look up to the task.
Fan reaction on social media was swift and unforgiving. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their frustration, not just with the team’s overall lacklustre display, but particularly with Kelleher’s performance.
“Did Liverpool’s players spend the whole weekend partying or something?” one supporter wrote, summing up the disjointed performance. “The front three barely touched it. Midfield can’t keep the ball. Back four all over the place. Caoimhin Kelleher having a day to forget. Awful all round.”
Another was more direct in their criticism: “Kelleher never saves the easiest shots ever.” A third added a sense of pragmatism to the debate: “Might be a good thing we’re selling Kelleher. I usually rate him, but we need Alisson back before his stock drops.”
Others offered a more balanced take, acknowledging his past contributions: “Kelleher is likeable enough and has done well over the years when stepping in, but it’s no surprise Liverpool are looking at other options when planning for life after Alisson.”
The sentiment was clear: admiration for what Kelleher has done in red, but growing doubt about his future at Anfield.
Echoing the growing sentiment, another fan summed up the mood with blunt finality: “I’m glad Kelleher leaves in the summer.” Once hailed as one of the finest back-up goalkeepers in world football, even Kelleher’s strongest admirers now seem ready to see him move on.
And he won’t be short of suitors. As of March 2025, there was significant interest surrounding the 26-year-old’s expected availability. Bournemouth are reportedly leading the race for his signature, while Championship promotion contenders Leeds United are also keeping close tabs on the Irishman as they plan for a potential Premier League return.