Caoimhin Kelleher's stock is as high as it ever has been but he has found competitive minutes near impossible to come by as of late.
The Corkonian had been one of the form goalkeepers in Europe when deputising for the absent Alisson Becker for a lengthy run of matches, his appearance tally this season already at 13.
However, Alisson's return meant that Kelleher's hopes of playing time had been reduced to the cup competitions, and so it proved with the 26-year-old impressing in their quarter-final win over Southampton.
Alisson has not been at his best since making his return, coming in for criticism for conceding Amad Diallo's equaliser in their 2-2 draw vs Manchester United last Sunday.
Kellleher, who built his reputation in the Carabao Cup, had been expected to feature in Wednesday's semi-final meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
His pedigree in the competition is clear, starting their final victories in both 2022 and 2024 and showcasing penalty-saving heroics in earlier rounds of those wins.
Nevertheless, head coach Arne Slot opted to persist with Alisson for their first leg clash away to Spurs, despite Kelleher's previous status as their domestic cup goalkeeper.
Liverpool fans hit out at Caoimhin Kelleher snub
Slot gave some explanation to Sky Sports ahead of the game, stating his desire to keep Alisson 'in a rhythm' having come back from injury last month.
However, the selection was not well received by some Liverpool supporters on social media, with one X user writing: "The treatment of Kelleher is shameful, let him leave."
"Kelleher should be starting with the form Alisson has been in... we need to stop disrespecting the player," were the sentiments of another fan.
Plenty of others were in agreement.
Caoimhin Kelleher is on the bench in the League Cup tonight…. https://t.co/rgeivHKlDb
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) January 8, 2025
Why has Kelleher not been selected tonight tho?! #TOTLIV https://t.co/BgqO9x9gzM
— Grace O'Sullivan (@gosulli) January 8, 2025
Kelleher should be starting https://t.co/iOT55ug8RP
— . (@Sid_LFC) January 8, 2025
Kelleher should have STARTED @LFC pic.twitter.com/oSTlfepCTj
— 🔴 𝙰𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚕𝚍 𝚅𝚒𝚎𝚠 🔴 (@james79rigby) January 8, 2025
Pretty disrespectful to Caoimhin Kelleher this to be honest. Couldn't think of a single good reason to start Allison here. Kelleher has more than earned this.
— Mad Max (@Maxlimburg) January 8, 2025
His latest omission will only fuel talk of his expected Anfield exit at the end of this season, with a number of major clubs reported to be seeking his signature.
He should be in-line for another appearance this weekend at the very least, with Liverpool set to host minnows Accrington Stanley at Anfield in the FA Cup this weekend.
Still, that prospect will likely offer little consolation to the Irishman, who has been one of the club's standout performers this season.
