Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher acknowledges critical exits alongside Jurgen Klopp

Caoimhin Kelleher is mourning the departure of two critical Liverpool figures alongside Jurgen Klopp. The German’s emotional farewell will spark a complete rebuild at Liverpool, with several other long-term staff also on their way out.

Klopp was given a hero’s send-off at the end of the Reds’ final game of the season – a 2-0 win over Wolves on May 19. The manager was not the only person to receive a guard of honour, his loyal assistants Pepijn Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Vitor Matos also being shown immense gratitude by the Anfield faithful.

Yet No.2 goalkeeper Kelleher, who enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 season, has also had to say goodbye to goalkeeper coach John Achterberg and his assistant Jack Robinson. The experienced Achterberg in particular had become a part of the furniture at Kirkby, joining the Reds in 2009.

He served under four different managers – Roy Hodgson, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers and Klopp – enjoying unprecedented success with the latter. Robinson, meanwhile, announced his departure on LinkedIn, having joined in September 2018 from the FA’s youth set-ups.

Highlighting their importance, Kelleher told The Athletic: “John has been absolutely massive for me and I told him at the party that I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without everything he’s done for me. The work he put in was incredible — always first into the training ground and the last to leave.

“He brought me on leaps and bounds. I really loved working with him. I’m grateful that he was my coach for so long. Jack was brilliant too and I wish them both well. We know that [Brazilian goalkeeping coach] Taffarel is staying, which is good. It will certainly feel a lot different when we report back in early July.”

Kelleher joined Liverpool’s academy as a teenager in 2015 and enjoyed a personal breakthrough last season, managing 26 appearances across all competitions. The bulk of those came between early February and April following an injury sustained by Alisson Becker.

How next season pans out for Kelleher remains to be seen, though his stock has never been higher. The Irishman is keen to play regular football after getting a taste of first-team action but is well aware that his competition happens to be the best goalkeeper in the world.

“I’m proud of this season, I’ve really proved myself,” Kelleher added. “I’ve loved being at Liverpool and hopefully there’s more to come there. But I feel like I’ve done my years as a No 2. The ambition now is to be a No 1. I am ready and capable.”