Caoimhín Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu could potentially face each other on Wednesday night, as Liverpool host Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.
It's far from guaranteed that both will start. Bazunu has yet to feature for Southampton in the FA Cup this season, as the Dubliner has been kept fresh for Southampton's promotion bid. However, he could be preferred to Joe Lumley given the strength of the opposition on Wednesday.
Kelleher is the more likely to play, but Jurgen Klopp may wish to rest him, on account of the emotional and physical energy spent by the Corkman during his superb Carabao Cup final performance on Sunday, and the injury to Alisson.
One thing is for sure, Ireland fans will be keeping a close eye on the team news this evening, with Bazunu's grasp on the country's number one jersey perhaps loosening in recent weeks amid Kelleher's brilliant run.
Kelleher and Bazunu could do battle at Anfield
After making their international debuts in 2021, Bazunu established himself as first-choice for Stephen Kenny, with Kelleher doing his best to impress when called upon.
Kenny's exit though, has opened up a door for the Liverpool stopper, and new interim Ireland boss John O'Shea is sure to have been watching events at Wembley on Sunday.
Kelleher put in an outstanding performance as Liverpool secured a 1-0 extra time win, pulling off a string of superb stops, with a first-half save from a close-range Cole Palmer effort being the pick of the bunch.
His reputation as a big-game player is nothing new. He had previously starred in Liverpool's 2022 Carabao Cup final win, and has kept net for some a handful of big Premier League games in the absence of Alisson Becker.
The latest injury to the Brazilian means that Kelleher is currently in the midst of his longest run of games, and is likely to keep goal for a huge top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City on March 10th.
20 March 2023; Goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu, right, and Caoimhin Kelleher during a Republic of Ireland training session at FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Kelleher v Bazunu debate
The Kelleher v Bazunu debate is the perfect example of a "would you rather?".
The Liverpool man has been part of a winning environment, mainly warming the bench but picking up a few medals along the way.
Meanwhile, Bazunu was relegated with Southampton last year but has racked up over 150 club appearances in his young career, compared to Kelleher's 37 at the time of writing.
There were suggestions during Southampton's relegation campaign that Bazunu was trusted with the number one shirt a little too early, without being entirely ready for the responsibility.
However, after a shaky start to life in the Championship, he has dusted himself down this season by contributing to a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which came to a halt in mid-February.
In recent weeks, he will have looked at Kelleher's form and felt a little uneasy, particularly with the Irish managerial situation still up in the air.
Bazunu has 21 Ireland caps while Kelleher has 11.
21 November 2023; Republic of Ireland goalkeepers Caoimhin Kelleher, left, and Gavin Bazunu before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Ireland's next manager
Ireland's next permanent manager will want to see their side compete in some big nights at home and abroad. With England coming to the Aviva in September, they will have seen how Kelleher has performed in the pressurised environment of Wembley Stadium on cup final days.
There could potentially be World Cup play-offs to come, and if things go as we all hope for the new manager, a trip to 2026 tournament itself in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Forward-planning will be essential and given his recent run of games, O'Shea could opt with Kelleher for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.
If he came out of those unflawed, then Bazunu could find himself warming the Ireland bench once the Nations League rolls round in September.
Before all that, the two are likely to exchange handshakes at Anfield on Wednesday night, either on or off the pitch, while sizing each other up in the process.
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