Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has expressed his desire to move elsewhere and play regularly.
The Reds turned down several offers for the 25-year-old goalkeeper, but he has now made it clear that he wants to secure regular first-team football.
Last season, Kelleher made 26 appearances across all competitions, mainly due to Alisson’s injury, but he has always been the second-choice option for the club, and that position hasn’t changed under Arne Slot as well.
A host of clubs tried to assign Kelleher during the summer transfer window, but Liverpool persuaded him to stay for one more season.
However, after the Reds secured the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, the path is clear for Kelleher to move elsewhere.
Mamardashvili will join next summer, and he is likely to fight for the number one spot with Alisson.
Kelleher started for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-0 loss to England on Saturday, and after the game, he commented on his future.
He said: “I made it clear in the last few years, I want to go be a No.1 and play week in, week out. The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, it looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.
“My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a No.1, playing week in, week out. Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like it is 100 per cent my decision but at times, it is not always in my hands.”
Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has revealed he asked to leave in the summer as he wishes to become a first choice goalkeeper 🔴🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/40i5o3q9mm
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 9, 2024
The decision should now be easy for Michael Edwards. On the one hand, Kelleher wants to leave, and he is likely to fetch a decent transfer fee, on the other hand, Alisson has suggested recently that he wants to stay at Anfield.
Goalkeepers usually have a long career, and Alisson would be more than happy to stay as a back-up keeper for Mamardashvili at Anfield, as long as he is getting game time as well.
Kelleher has been terrific for Liverpool as a second-choice keeper, and Jurgen Klopp hailed him as “spectacular” last season.
He has a contract at Anfield until 2026, which means Liverpool have a great opportunity to get a decent transfer fee from his sale and Edwards is an expert in that department.
Kelleher is likely to feature for Liverpool in their upcoming Carabao Cup clash against West Ham on September 25.
