Liverpool & Republic of Ireland’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was not up to his usual standards against Latvia last night as the National press criticizes the Reds’ second-choice goalkeeper.
Despite initially scoring two goals and taking an early lead, Kelleher and his team were caught up by halftime. While they eventually managed to secure a 3-2 victory, RTE was not entirely satisfied with the performance of the Liverpool player during the game.
Kelleher’s performance last night as National Press rates him 5 out of 10
Kelleher’s performance was initially satisfactory, with reports suggesting that he showed “no signs of rust” despite not having played for over two months. The 24-year-old goalkeeper also apparently remained composed in his usual style, effectively dealing with an early Latvian attack.
However, the reason for Kelleher’s low rating of five out of ten soon became apparent. According to reports, the goalkeeper was unable to control the ball after making an initial save, resulting in the ball “trickling in” for a goal.
This performance suggests that Kelleher’s display was less than convincing as the team’s second-choice goalkeeper.
For the first goal, there was not much Kelleher could have done, as he was beaten by an impressive strike from Uldrikis. On his first start in over two months, Kelleher was caught off guard as Uldrikis’ thunderbolt hit the top corner from 30 yards.
However, Kelleher might have expected to have done better with the second goal. Although the ball deflected off Collins, it was a saveable shot. He was not reactive enough for deflected second.
He’ll be disappointed with both.
Despite having limited playing time recently, Kelleher was selected as the starting goalkeeper for Ireland in a friendly match against Latvia.
While he appeared confident with the ball at his feet, Kelleher may feel disappointed to have let in two goals against a relatively weak opponent.
Some will argue that there is nothing he could have done about either, but it can’t be a coincidence that Kelleher has been beaten from outside the box on multiple occasions.
Considering that Kelleher has only played three games for Liverpool this season, it is reasonable to forgive him for being a little rusty in last night’s game.
Kelleher to lose his spot?
Kelleher’s struggles for Ireland raise concerns for manager Stephen Kenny, indicating that he may need to leave Anfield this summer.
With younger goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu emerging as a strong contender for Ireland’s number-one spot, Kelleher’s shaky performances could hinder his future prospects.
Bazunu, who is three years younger than Kelleher, is already playing regular Premier League football with Southampton.
While Liverpool may regret losing such a talented goalkeeper, a move could benefit Kelleher’s development and provide financial gain for the club.
Regardless of his club situation, Kelleher is likely to continue earning international caps, but a change could be necessary for his career progression.
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