TTLB Opinion: £20m Liverpool outcast can change Tottenham Hotspur’s fortunes

Caoimhín Kelleher will be looking for a move away from Anfield Stadium this summer given how he has already proved his ability to feature consistently as the first goalkeeper for an elite side. But that opportunity is not available at Liverpool given how the Merseysiders already have Alisson Becker (who possibly is the best goalkeeper in the English top tier in terms of pure quality) in the starting role complemented by the expected arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who already has an agreement to move to Liverpool in a £29 million deal.

Now this opens up an opportunity for Kelleher to look elsewhere, possibly at a club that offers him that first-team opportunity while competing at the highest level. And the Reds are expecting to sell the Irishman for £20 million this summer.

This opens up an opportunity for Tottenham as well…

What can Kelleher bring to Tottenham?

To start with, he will bring a presence who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. The Australian head coach has deployed a system that demands a goalkeeper who is more than your traditional shot-stopper, and Kelleher has honed his craft precisely under Jurgen Klopp (and Slot, of course), where he has shown how he is a clean distributor of the ball. He is good at short as well as long passes and is composed under pressure, given how he can receive back passes and start play out from the back without any cause for panic; this allows the Lilywhites to keep the ball and launch attacks.

When playing in the current setup where the North Londoners are keen to start their buildup from the first phase, the Irishman will be a more controlled and proactive presence in the backline, which would allow the defensive line to push higher (like we see at Liverpool).

Moreover, he is someone who has been consistent in his shot stoppings and brings that proven composure. When playing for the Reds, be it in cup runs or when he is deputising for Alisson, we have seen the 26-year-old showcase how he has elite reflexes, saves under pressure and a sense of calmness in 1v1 situations. He is also solid when it comes to being aware of his position in different facets of the game.

Moreover, he has played in Wembley finals and has stepped in during Champions League group stages and has thrived in those games, making his arrival at a cut price more suitable. At a reported £20 million, he will be a good investment with a higher floor than Kinsky or Keeley. He will also have (in my opinion) a higher ceiling when it comes to consistency than Vicario in his current form.

Why integrating Kelleher can help the Lilywhites become more consistent…

He will not be just a depth signing; he will be a genuine competition for Vicario, and this will force the current Tottenham number one to sharpen his game, making sure that his arrival would increase the baseline expectations at Hotspur Way while also ensuring that the North Londoners are not left scrambling if there is a dip in form or any injuries were to occur.

Moreover, he also fixes the weakness that Tottenham have with Vicario against crosses and set pieces, given how Kelleher is good with his decision-making in crowded areas, and his timing is also apt when claiming high balls, making him more reliable.

With Kelleher, you also get a bit of tactical fluidity against high-pressing teams (like Arsenal and Liverpool), given how he is good at short passes as well as efficient with long balls.

Moreover, given his age of twenty-six (26), he still has his best years ahead of him, making it a long-term solution and not a stopgap signing at N17.

Author Opinion

Kelleher is the type of keeper that the Lilywhites are looking to compound on the project under Postecoglou. And at twenty million pounds, it will be a smart piece of business by Daniel Levy, given how he will not only add a bit of depth but also has that genuine potential to take on the number one spot. And with Champions League football, Tottenham do need someone who has that mettle to handle pressure. He will not only save goals, but he will instead put an end to this wayward post-Lloris cycle of inconsistency that Tottenham have had at the back.