Caoimhín Kelleher News

'Quality doesn't change' - Alexander Isak faces supreme World Cup test against Liverpool skipper

In an ideal world, Liverpool would want Sweden's clash with the Netherlands at the World Cup to be billed as the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. And there will no doubt be a huge level of intrigue at the AXA Training Centre itself when Alexander Isak comes face to face with his club captain Virgil van Dijk in Houston on Saturday evening. It's a Group F tie that sees two of Liverpool's most expensive ever signings - first and fifth, to be precise - up against each other for the first time since the 2025 Carabao Cup final, when Isak starred for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe's men ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy. Since then, it's been generally a downwards trajectory for Isak, whose maiden term at Anfield was laden with fitness and injury problems having become British football's most expensive signing at £125m on September 1. Isak ran Liverpool ragged on that particular day at Wembley, scoring the decisive second with a typically classy finish steered past Caoimhin Kelleher, and while he has only been able to show that sort of quality at club level sporadically, the Sweden international flew out of the traps on his World Cup debut last weekend. A penny for the thoughts of new Reds boss Andoni Iraola when Isak put Tunisia to the sword in Mexico's Estadio Monterrey. Peeling off to the left after a ball into the channel from Victor Gyokores, Isak drove at his opposite number before cutting inside and finding the far corner with a trademark finish. It was a strike that followed on from an even more eye-catching goal in a warm-up fixture against Norway, when he registered a stunning effort that arched into the top corner. Isak then returned the favour by muscling a Tunisian defender off the ball high up the pitch to supply Gyokores, before his crucial touch on a ball into the box ensured that goalscorer Mattias Svanberg was back onside to score with his first touch. One goal and two assists was not a bad night's work. Now the plan is continue it - against Van Dijk and co. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page “You have to settle in,” Sweden boss Graham Potter said when asked about Isak on the eve of Saturday's clash. “You have to find a way of learning about each other. How are they going to play and fit in? "OK, Alex Isak playing for Newcastle, he does this – but how does he adapt to what Liverpool want him to do? The player doesn’t change. His quality doesn’t change. “He’s still a top, top, top player. It’s just how they interact as a team together. And if you make a lot of changes, it can take a bit of time. Unfortunately, sometimes, at the big clubs, the big change means big pressure and expectation; and then expectation versus reality. “As soon as that gap starts to become too big, you can have problems. His injuries have been disappointing but I know him. He’s a great, great lad; he wants to play football and wants to help his team. Sometimes everybody’s career can go up and down. “But the quality of the person – and the quality of the player – is undeniable.” As far as World Cup debuts go, it was a fine night's work for Isak, who is now up against the vaunted Van Dijk, who has himself started the World Cup in fine fettle. The Oranje captain, like Isak, took home the player of the match award for his display as they drew 2-2 with Japan earlier this week. The Reds skipper nodded home the opening goal in an entertaining affair in Dallas. It bodes well for new Reds boss Iraola that both have kicked off their World Cup campaign impressively. The pair will be integral to any success the head coach will have on Merseyside and there is undoubtedly a shift in the thinking that is geared towards extracting maximum value from Isak going forward. Liverpool's purchase of Victor Munoz from Osasuna this week was a prime example of the club targeting quick wingers whose main task will be to supply the £125m Isak - and the same applies to Yan Diomande, who the Reds are looking to bring in for big money from RB Leipzig. After a first year that was essentially written off by fitness problems and injury issues, Liverpool need Isak to enjoy a stellar World Cup to ensure he arrives at the back end of pre-season in confidence, free of the troubles that stunted progress. But for anyone watching on back at the club's Kirkby base, they will feel there is no more daunting assignment than shining against Van Dijk. It's why all eyes will be glued to events at the NRG Stadium on Saturday evening.

2026-06-20

Caoimhin Kelleher opens up on Diogo Jota grief and 'tough' season for old Liverpool teammates

Caoimhin Kelleher does not believe this season is about football for Liverpool following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The former Reds goalkeeper joined Brentford a month before his long-time teammate died in a car crash last summer. Kelleher played 27 times with Jota during their five seasons at Anfield together, most notably the Carabao Cup finals in 2022 and 2025. However, with the Ireland international being Allison's backup throughout his time on Merseyside, they featured in the same squad much more often, a total of 162 times. Those occasions also include the 2022 Champions League and FA Cup finals. They were both substitutes on the final day of last season, which proved to be Jota's final match before he died in July. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page Kelleher became a father in late February after his partner, Eimear, gave birth to twins. He says that it has only heightened the feelings and put Jota's death even more into perspective. In an interview with The Athletic , Kelleher said: "It puts stuff into perspective. Sometimes, (other) things are a lot more important than football. My main priority now is being a dad to them and trying to be the best father I can be. You look at football after that." He added: "Maybe it does probably heighten what happened. Yeah, maybe that does bring it into perspective even a bit more. "But, listen, it's grief. Everyone goes through it at some point, and it is difficult. You have your days; you have moments where it comes into your mind, and it is obviously very sad, and it's tough. "But sometimes nice memories pop in as well, and you think of fun times as well. Grief is not easy. Being surrounded by good people here helps." Kelleher is not the only former Liverpool player at Brentford. Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg signed for the west London club 12 months before the goalkeeper did, while Jordan Henderson was the latest to arrive, doing so less than a week after Jota's death. Speaking about their former teammates, Kelleher said: "For Liverpool, I don't think it's a season about football, really, for me. Of course it is , but I think the situation, what happened (with Jota)… it's a massive shock to everyone. "You're going through a lot of grief, a lot of different emotions. It's not easy for those players to play at the highest level and be going through that as well. It's been a tough season for them." Kelleher will return to Anfield for the first time with Brentford on the final day of the Premier League season. Carvalho will not be available due to injury, but Henderson and Van den Berg could feature alongside the goalkeeper.

2026-04-27