This summer is shaping up to be a standout one for Liverpool.
The Reds are set to welcome three new signings to the AXA Training Centre for the start of pre-season, with efforts ongoing to add Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez as the fourth and fifth arrivals.
For some time, it appeared that Giorgi Mamardashvili would be the chosen replacement for Caoimhin Kelleher. However, Liverpool now seem to be targeting a different long-term option — one of similar quality and pedigree.
Kelleher earned widespread praise as an exceptional No. 2 goalkeeper, known for his ability to step up in Alisson’s absence. His composure under pressure and quick reflexes were standout traits.
That calmness on the ball stemmed from his early days as a striker in Ireland before transitioning to goalkeeping at age 13. As Eddie Harrington explained to Liverpool ECHO in 2022, Kelleher had once represented his county as a forward. It was only at U14 level that he switched to being a goalkeeper — a major shift that leveraged his footwork and understanding of the outfield game.
Now, Liverpool have signed someone strikingly similar in profile.
The club has confirmed the arrival of Armin Pecsi from Puskás Akadémia. Like Kelleher, Pecsi is an agile shot-stopper with exceptional reflexes — having prevented an impressive 14.33 goals in Hungary’s top division last season.
Even more notably, Pecsi also began his football journey as a striker. In an interview with FEOL, he shared that he played both as a forward and goalkeeper well into his early teens. Around age 11 or 12, he made the conscious decision to commit to being a goalkeeper.
In that sense, Liverpool may have found their “Kelleher 2.0” — a player who mirrors the Irishman’s development path and playing style. And they did so for a bargain fee of just £1.5 million, according to Anfield Watch.
It’s a shrewd move, and credit goes to Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, who appears to be masterminding an impressive transfer window.
