Kelleher proved adept at saving penalties during regulation time, too.
Last year, he became just the second Liverpool goalkeeper in history – and first since Augustus Beeby in 1909 – to save spot-kicks in consecutive games.
First, he stopped Adam Armstrong’s attempt in a 3-2 Premier League win at Southampton and, three days later, he thwarted Kylian Mbappe as Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 at Anfield in the Champions League.
Incredibly, Kelleher had also saved a penalty for Ireland against Finland during the international break that preceded the Reds’ trip to St Mary’s, meaning he stopped three spot-kicks in just 13 days.
Vital Villa saves
Liverpool’s ultimately successful pursuit of the 2024-25 Premier League title was boosted by the events of November 9.
The Reds hosted Aston Villa in a rare nighttime kick-off on a Saturday at Anfield knowing that, with Manchester City having lost earlier in the day, a win would take them five points clear at the top of the table ahead of the international break.
Victory was secured thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah – and a fantastic couple of saves from Kelleher, who showcased brilliant reflexes to deny Amadou Onana and then Diego Carlos to make sure his side went into half-time 1-0 up.
