Totally disagree, massive discredit to Reina.
If he was such, he wouldn’t have been here for so long. You cannot hide in that position (or any, for so long).
4 Likes
Reina also won the golden gloves award 3 seasons in a row for the most clean sheets.
cant be that bad a goalkeeper
4 Likes
I didn’t say or mean he was a bad keeper - but he was miles away from being world class as many of our fans claimed, and continue to do to this day.
I think he was really, really poor on crosses, a good shot stopper for a couple of years - then didn’t even bother diving for most shots after a while let alone save anything, world class at distribution and a massive character throughout his time here. I think he was decent and an upgrade on most of the shit keepers we’ve had here in the last 30 odd years, but nothing more in my opinion and I stongly believe Kelleher was way ahead of him in every department except distribution - which funnily enough doesn’t/didn’t get mentioned enough when discussing Pepe.
1 Like
That’s fair enough, although what you describe reminds me more of Grobbelaar. He wasn’t a bad keeper as such, but he benefitted from having some exceptional defenders in front of him without the back-pass rule to worry about (although in fairness he wasn’t bad with his feet).
He was good enough at the time because we had an exceptional team, but I would have swapped him with Neville Southall every day of the week.
I do wonder whether Kelleher would be tempted at a return when Ali leaves. The problem is that it is difficult enough to secure one top class keeper, let alone two.
1 Like
“Not bad but miles away from world class”, what’s that then? Average or below average?
Fuck me mate - is it really not clear what I mean? Are you just looking for argument? I’ll spell it out for you are you if I can.
Ali = World Class
Cech = World Class
Neuer = World Class …You following me so far?
Possibly then the next group of keepers like Pickford, David Seaman in the same bracket as Kelleher for being solid and top level but not among the worlds absolute best.
Then Pepe is in the next group in my opinion - let’s call it ‘slightly above average, but not quite top class’ shall we?
Then it’s Mignolet etc - just a fairly average level prem level keeper.
Then Karius etc
I hope that’s clear to you now?
This is only my opinion - but is how I personally class them clear to you now?
So there’s world class, solid and top level and different levels of average.
Reina below Pickford and Kelleher.
Interesting.
Of course it’s your opinion, I respect it.
Unfortunately I’ve only seen highlights of Bruce - just before my time. Reina had Rafa as manager and a solid defensive set up - which helped massively with his golden gloves in my view. Similar to what you describe with Bruce.
If Mama doesn’t cut it and we can’t get a ‘world class’ keeper when Ali goes then Kelleher would be a very safe and welcome transfer (provided he doesn’t fall off a cliff in the next few years)
1 Like
Reina was quality
his positioning was so good he didnt have to flop around and make amazing saves becuase he was positioned and organised so well.
its an interesting take that hes below Kelleher in someones eyes…cant see it myself, but thats football…everyone has different opinions
4 Likes
Calm down mate, I asked a few questions.
1 Like
I don’t think Kelleher is all that. He’s decent and better at pens than Ali but I’m underwhelmed by what he doesn’t save. I know he ‘doesn’t play the way we want with the ball’ but Donnarumma was the one keeper available recently that I think would really have raised our level there, especially as Mama also looks average with his distribution.
1 Like
It’s interesting the different takes on Reina/Kelleher - makes for a good debate. Seems I am in a minority so far on which one is better. I have always paid close attention to keepers as I always wanted to be one when I was young (I would have been a great keeper if I wasn’t so shit!) I always remember Pepe flapping around at high balls and not commanding his area and at certain points any shot on target was basically a goal! All Keepers make mistakes, even the greatest of all time have chucked a few in the net, but I just never thought Pepe was as good as our fanbase seemed to claim (nor did fans of other teams - not that it counts for much generally speaking, they don’t rate Fowler that highly either at times). But looking back through the keepers in my time…James, Friedel (was shite for us, but obviously got much better), Westerveld, Kirkland, Carson, Dudek, Reina, Mignolet, Karius…fucking hell we have not exactly been blessed in that department, but Reina was the best of this lot by a long way. Still think Kelleher is better, but hey ho - it’s a game of opinions.
Writing this list makes me appreciate Ali even more than I did 45 seconds ago! 
2 Likes
Having Alisson and Donnarumma at the same time just isn’t realistic.
Unless you say you would’ve tried to sell Alisson this summer?
Yeah. Actually, while I understand the fee was less than Mama, I think Donnarumma’s wages would make him unaffordable. Shame as I think he absolutely could have replaced Ali who I think won’t probably be with us by summer 27.
It’s not even just financial, but I mean how do you make them happy, having both. Kelleher and Mamardashvili could or can accept being backup to Alisson for a while, while for someone of Donnarumma’s calibre you need to have a clear place in goal.
1 Like
You forgot Grobbelaar.
I would have Reina above Kelleher.
Liverpool goalies I have seen would be ranked approx like this:
Alisson
Clemence
Grobbelaar
Reina
Friedel
Dudek
Kelleher
Mamardashvili
Westerveld
James
Mignolet
Kirkland
Karius
There is scope for Mamardashvili to go higher. He only just joined and obviously the team is struggling, so I’m keeping an open mind. To be fair there is also scope for Kelleher to go higher. He spent a fair few years as our number two, got a move, and is doing well so far. Both men have years left in their careers so let’s see what they do!
2 Likes
Yeah was fairly shocked by that, bruce won more league titles than any of them, although clemence won 5 and did more european cups…but ray wins it all on trophy count of major cups (although bruce wins it numerically as he won more league cups)
1 Like
Clem was apparently awesome!! Like Grob though I have never watched a single 90 minute game, only seen highlights. Surprised you’d put Dudek and especially Friedel above Kelleher though? Friedel was dogshit for us is my recollection? It was a long time ago and I don’t think he was here very long, maybe I am mis-remembering? Was he better than Westerveld and Kelleher during his time for us? I mean he is a prem legend, but for us he was pretty poor as I recall.
For the eras they covered I put Clemence, Grobbelaar and Alisson equal top. Very different styles and characters however all the right goalies at the right time. Of course Grobbelaar had problems due to his character and exuberance at a time when perceptions on this were still very stuck up however for us young UN’s it was a breath of fresh air.
Incredible how being a thug was acceptable for an outfield player however a goalkeeper with character was scorned upon.
1 Like