Why Liverpool really swapped Caoimhin Kelleher for Giorgi Mamardashvili as number one spot starts to open up

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Liverpool made wholesale changes to their squad in the summer of 2025, with a number of now former players thriving elsewhere.Luis Diaz is shining in Germany, enjoying his most prolific season as a professional footballer.Jarrel Quansah is another ex-Red thriving in the Bundesliga, while Caoimhin Kelleher, who Liverpool did not want to sell but sanctioned a move for anyway because he wanted to become a number one goalkeeper, is excelling with Brentford. Barroso/Europa Press/Getty Images Why Liverpool allowed Caoimhin Kelleher to leaveDuring his time at Anfield, Kelleher was never given a chance to displace Alisson, and as Jurgen Klopp so accurately put it back in 2022, as per the Echo, he was the best number two in the world.He said: “Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No.

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.”In 2025/26, Liverpool have endured a goalkeeping crisis, seeing third-choice option Freddie Woodman starting against Manchester United last weekend.Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived last summer, but he too has struggled for regular minutes and is now injured.It may lead some fans to question why on earth Kelleher was allowed to leave, given his obvious talent, but The Athletic have now provided an insight.They say: “Liverpool didn’t sell Kelleher last year because they thought he wasn’t good enough to be Alisson’s long-term successor; they sanctioned the move to Brentford because he was desperate to become a No 1.”They add that: “Liverpool either had to grant him his wish or accept losing him for nothing this year.” Ekitike vs Pedro! 🥊 Who has had the best debut season at their new clubs? Credit: Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Chris Lee/Chelsea FC/Getty Images Alisson vs Caoimhin Kelleher 2025/26 statsAs mentioned, Kelleher is now on Brentford’s books, where he is thriving and outperforming Alisson in per 90 stats.The Brazilian is averaging 2.3 saves a game, compared to 2.8 for the Bees shot-stopper.Kelleher is making more saves inside the box (1.7 vs 1.4), more saves outside the box (1.1 vs 0.8), has a higher save percentage (68.15 vs 65.12) and is attempting more passes (35.2 vs 31.4).With Alisson now eyeing a move to Juventus, perhaps Liverpool should indeed have held on to the Brentford ace for another year.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox