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Brentford manager Keith Andrews has joked that Liverpool have no chance of re-signing Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of the summer transfer window.
There have been no reports linking Liverpool with a move, but Andrews made his stance clear in a light-hearted exchange on Sky Sports when questioned by Jamie Carragher about the impact of the £18million signing.
The Brentford boss responded: “Yeah, you’re not getting him back, that’s for sure, so don’t start that one!” As one of four former Liverpool players in the Brentford squad, Kelleher has made a strong start to life away from Merseyside.
Despite concerns following the departure of Thomas Frank, Brentford have exceeded expectations and sit just two points behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
Although they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, Keith Andrews praised the former Liverpool goalkeeper saying: “He’s been exceptional.”
“I’ve known him a long time, coaching with the Irish under-21s and the senior team. I’ve known all about his qualities and how much he needed, I suppose, to take that step into first choice territory.
“So for us, it was a no-brainer last year when he became available and I did feel genuinely, for him, it would be a good move. And he’s been outstanding. He’s gone from strength to strength as the season’s gone on.”
Brentford signed Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool to replace Mark Flekken, who joined Bayer Leverkusen. The deal is worth an initial £12.5million, rising to £18million with add-ons.
Kelleher signed a five-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months. He made 25 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, along with over 40 cup outings.
Caoimhin Kelleher joined Liverpool in 2015 from Ringmahon Rangers, rising through the academy to become a first-team regular.
He was part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the UEFA Super Cup later that year, before making his senior debut in a EFL Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons.
Caoimhin Kelleher made his Champions League debut against Ajax in December 2020 and kept a clean sheet on his Premier League debut days later in a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming the club’s youngest goalkeeper to do so.
He also holds a club record for winning four penalty shoot-outs, including scoring the decisive kick in the 2022 EFL Cup Final against Chelsea. He lifted that trophy again in 2024, adding to his FA Cup success in 2022.
Kelleher made 26 appearances in 2023/24 and 20 the following season, with 10 league outings in each campaign. Internationally, he debuted for the Republic of Ireland national team in 2021 after progressing through youth levels and has earned 31 senior caps.