According to Football Insider, Liverpool anticipates Caoimhin Kelleher, their backup goalkeeper, will request to leave Anfield this summer. The Irish international has been Alisson Becker’s deputy for a couple of seasons now and hasn’t seen much action this year with the first team. However, Kelleher has only played with the first-team three times so far this season.
While two of his appearances came in the Carabao Cup, one opportunity was handed to him in the FA Cup. Many see the 24-year-old shot-stopper as Liverpool’s cup goalkeeper, especially after his penalty shootout heroics in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea last year which handed his side the trophy.
Kelleher to leave Liverpool for regular minutes in order to boost Ireland chances
Kelleher’s playing time has decreased as a result of Liverpool being eliminated from both the domestic cup competitions this season, rather early. As a result, the Merseyside club expects their academy graduate will ask to leave the at the end of the 2022/23 season due to a lack of first-team action.
The aforementioned source claims that the Irish goalkeeper believes he is prepared to take the next step in his career and play as a first-choice goalkeeper for another team. Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, is having a fantastic season at Anfield and appears to be the first name on the team sheet for every game right now.
Football Insider claims that if Kelleher is expected to go this summer, he is keeping all of his options open. The goalkeeper is hoping to join a Premier League side or even willing to leave England in a bid to seal a transfer to a club across Europe.
Since Caoimhin Kelleher is still 24 only, it is vital for him to be able to play regularly for a first team. The Liverpool player is now vying with Gavin Bazunu of Southampton for Ireland’s number one spot. Kelleher made his debut against Latvia during the recently concluded international break. However in Ireland’s inaugural Euro 2024 qualifying match against France, Bazunu took the starting spot.
It’s important to note that Caoimhin Kelleher’s Liverpool contract has three years left to go. According to Transfermarkt, the Irish International is presently only worth €8 million. Kelleher has had several noteworthy performances throughout his stay on Merseyside despite the limited opportunities he has had to wear a red shirt.
The youthful goalkeeper was the highlight of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea in the previous campaign. Prior to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s missed penalty kick in the shootout, Kelleher made a series of crucial saves during the game and went on to score the game-changing penalty. Caoimhin Kelleher has made a total of 20 appearances for the Reds over his career, recording 10 shutouts in the process.