Caoimhin Kelleher is destined for a life as Liverpool back-up but that is no bad thing

Many clubs would want to sign Kelleher as their first-choice goalkeeper, but why would he want to leave?

Previously, the League Cup was considered a tournament for substitutes. In the beginning stages, it was seen as an easy match for inexperienced players and the finalists would find themselves in a difficult situation. They had to decide whether to honor those who played a crucial role in getting them there or to switch to their top players to secure a chance at victory. This predicament frequently centered around goalkeepers, particularly those who excelled in cup competitions.

Jurgen Klopp didn't have to answer any tough questions as Alisson will be out until the end of March. As a result, Caoimhín Kelleher remained Liverpool's starting goalkeeper for this competition, and has started five out of 26 league matches. Although he has yet to lose a game this season, his performance at Wembley was the pinnacle of his achievements so far.

In the aftermath of the game, much was made of Chelsea's wastefulness in front of goal, which overshadowed the outstanding performance of Kelleher in preventing any goals from being conceded. The opposing team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, had an expected goals (xG) score of 2.4, emphasizing the crucial role played by the goalkeeper in preventing any of those chances from becoming a goal.

Describing it is quite difficult – these are the situations that you hope to commemorate with supporters," Kelleher remarked on Sky Sports. "Without a doubt, it is another phenomenal moment for me, and I am overjoyed."

I'm hopeful we don't become too overconfident, but winning this first trophy is an excellent beginning that will give us the push we need to carry on throughout the season. Our team has some players who will return, and the younger ones have done exceptionally well, so currently we're in a favorable position to maintain our momentum.

The most noteworthy moment was Kelleher's swift punch to prevent Cole Palmer's shot in the first half. Equally remarkable was Kelleher's composure as he made repeated saves in the second half and extra time when Chelsea made promising plays and seemed poised to score and end the prolonged stalemate.

During the second half, there was a specific instance that showed how well he played. He made a great save by using his legs to stop Palmer from scoring, and then he calmly let Nkunku's shot bounce off his leg and safely into his grasp. The fans on both sides were nervous about the outcome of the game, but Kelleher remained calm and prevented any disasters from happening. Thanks to his composure, his team was able to win the game.

Virgil van Dijk, their player who eventually made the winning goal, stated that he is most likely one of the biggest supporters of the player they were talking about. He always believed that the player was a top performer in the world, and today he proved it yet again by stepping up and delivering a good match.

"It is pleasing to witness his performance as he possesses great goalkeeping skills, which are essential in a club such as Liverpool."

At 25 years old, Kelleher cannot be classified as an inexperienced player. During the match, he was the sixth oldest player on the field among the younger Liverpool players. Therefore, the upcoming summer could be of great importance for his career. Although it is not clear whether Alisson plans to leave the club, it is unlikely that Kelleher will surpass David Raya or Aaron Ramsdale in any competition for the goalkeeper position, regardless of who leads Liverpool. If Kelleher stays at the club, he will most likely continue being a backup goalkeeper.

Is that really such a terrible thing? He has played more games this season than he did in the previous two seasons combined, and it was such a joy to witness a player who has mostly been an understudy throughout his career, finally have a moment of pure triumph. In the past, he played in a similar match against the same opponents two years ago, with Alisson being a substitute. On that day, Liverpool emerged victorious, and Kelleher even scored a penalty in the shoot-out, although he also let in 10 goals. However, this time around was a more special and flawless occasion.

He had a dream of seeing himself on a mural at Liverpool's training ground, which showcases their greatest goalkeepers. However, he hasn't achieved that milestone yet. Nevertheless, the opportunity of creating history with such a prestigious club like Liverpool should not be underestimated.

Many Premier League teams may consider Kelleher as their top pick, while he could also attract interest from overseas clubs who might offer him more playing opportunities. Although Kelleher has been the long-standing choice as Ireland's number one goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu's outstanding season for Southampton is giving him a run for his money. It's worth pondering what course Kelleher's career would have taken if he had actually signed with Nottingham Forest, as rumored.

There are certainly more options for games and entertainment compared to when playing alongside Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. However, with the way Liverpool is performing, it's highly likely they'll make it to the finals and potentially even win more trophies. It takes a bold player to turn down that opportunity.