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Caoimhin Kelleher’s highly anticipated Premier League debut after leaving Liverpool turned into a game to forget, as the Republic of Ireland international endured a torrid start to life at Brentford.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper swapped Anfield for the Bees this summer in a deal worth an initial £12.5 million ($17m), potentially rising to £18 million ($24m) with add-ons. Kelleher, long regarded as one of the best backup goalkeepers in the Premier League during his time at Liverpool, made just 10 league appearances for the Reds across six seasons.
His performances in domestic cup competitions, including his penalty heroics in the 2022 Carabao Cup final, earned him a reputation as a reliable deputy to Alisson Becker.
However, his determination to secure regular football saw him push for a move away from Merseyside during the summer transfer window.
Yet in his league debut under new manager Keith Andrews, Kelleher had a game to forget in Brentford's opener against Nottingham Forest.
Brentford found themselves trailing inside the opening five minutes.
Elliot Anderson’s in-swinging corner, created after Callum Hudson-Odoi’s work down the flank, fell kindly for Chris Wood, and the New Zealand striker poked a bouncing effort past Kelleher into the far corner.
Anderson then enjoyed a flurry of opportunities, drilling a low effort from 25 yards that lacked the power to trouble Kelleher.
But Forest’s pressure soon told. Gibbs-White, under pressure from Michael Kayode, whipped in a dangerous cross that Ndoye met with a clever looping header back across the goal to double the lead.
The hosts struck again in first-half stoppage time, with Anderson threading a precise through ball for Wood, who calmly rounded Kelleher before slotting into an empty net to make it three.
Igor Thiago coolly slotted home from the penalty spot to hand Andrews a fleeting reprieve, but the Bees were comfortably second best in the end.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson started the game on the bench, coming on in the 69th minute.
The midfielder arrived on a two-year contract after leaving Ajax last month, with both parties agreeing to terminate his deal a year ahead of schedule.
Liverpool.com says: For Kelleher, the challenge now will be to prove that this rocky start is no more than an early setback in what he hopes will be a long and successful Premier League career. With his ability to command his area, distribution under pressure, and shot-stopping pedigree, there is every chance he can recover quickly
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