Brentford may have pulled off one of the smartest moves of the summer 2025 transfer window when they signed Caoimhin Kelleher for just £18 million, including add-ons (Sky Sports). The Irish goalkeeper had spent years patiently waiting in the wings as Alisson Becker's understudy at Liverpool, but his move to west London has proven to be a game-changer for both player and club.

Since joining Brentford, Kelleher has been the undisputed number one under compatriot Keith Andrews, and his performances have been nothing short of outstanding. The Bees are now on course for a historic first-ever qualification for European football, and many believe the modest transfer fee didn't come close to reflecting the goalkeeper's true value.

The feeling that Liverpool may have dropped the ball has only grown stronger after a recent Q&A with The Athletic's James Pearce. When asked whether the Reds included a buyback clause in the deal, Pearce confirmed there was none for the 27-year-old. He also expressed surprise that "bigger clubs didn't come in for him," highlighting just how much Kelleher's stock has risen.

According to the report, Kelleher had been keen to explore his options in the two summers prior to his departure, but was persuaded to stay at Anfield each time. It wasn't until last year, with the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili on the horizon, that Liverpool finally granted him an exit.

The contrast with another recent Liverpool sale is particularly striking. When Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million last summer, the Reds secured a buyback clause as a safety net. Yet for Kelleher, who has proven himself a top-tier Premier League goalkeeper, they accepted less than half that fee with no such protection.

Kelleher himself has acknowledged that the timing was right to leave Anfield last summer. But as Brentford continue their push for European football, Liverpool fans can't help but wonder if their club let a gem slip through their fingers for far too little.