Stepping in for an injured Alisson Becker has become a familiar task for Liverpool second choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
But the Irish shotstopper has grown tired of warming the bench at Anfield and has expressed his desire to be more than a bit-part player in his career moving forward. Former manager Jurgen Klopp said he believed the now 25-year-old to be "the best No.2 goalie in the world".
Kelleher has already shone under new boss Arne Slot in the Premier League victory over Bournemouth and League Cup thrashing of West Ham. And he's lived up to the praise dished out by his old coach.
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"Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me," Klopp enthused after the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea in February 2022. "There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane," he said.
"But to be honest for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No. 2 goalie in the world as well. The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more.
"So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right. And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class."
Unfortunately for Kelleher, the Reds secured goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia as their first signing under Slot's reign. New sporting director Richard Hughes finalised a £30million deal for the Georgian star, who will stay with the La Liga club for the rest of the season.
Kelleher has since been open about wanting to leave Liverpool to guarantee first team football. And he clearly wants to shrug off the label of being the the 'top backup keeper in the Prem', reports the Liverpool Echo.
Talking to talkSPORT this week, Kelleher said: "It's not a title I want - I want to be playing week in, week out. At the moment the situation for me is I'll get these opportunities and I need to do well when I get these opportunities and play well, so that is my main focus obviously. Just when I do get that chance, play well."
"It is important I play week in, week out now and get that No.1 position. I have to show everyone I am capable and good enough to play week in, week out.
"I feel I have the quality to play well when needed, even if that means I'm not playing a game in a few weeks I can come in and still show my quality, so that's the most important part - to be ready when called upon."
