Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper, has been advised to seek a regular starting position elsewhere this summer. The 26-year-old has expressed his desire to become a number one goalkeeper and is open to achieving that either at Liverpool or at another club. Kelleher had an impressive season last year, making 26 starts for the team. However, his ambition to establish himself as a first-choice goalkeeper has only grown stronger.
Recently, Kelleher was absent from footage of training sessions at the AXA, leading to speculation about his future at the club. He has reported for pre-season training as usual, but it remains to be seen if his absence from training videos indicates an imminent move. The Republic of Ireland’s new manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, believes Kelleher should leave Liverpool in search of regular playing time. Hallgrimsson praised Kelleher’s abilities and stated that it would be a shame for him not to be playing regularly after demonstrating his talent at the highest level.
Kelleher’s lack of game time at Liverpool has already affected his international career, with Gavin Bazunu often preferred as the national team’s goalkeeper due to Kelleher’s limited minutes at club level. Although Bazunu missed some recent matches, Kelleher started both games and is likely to be retained as the first-choice goalkeeper under Hallgrimsson.
Currently, Kelleher’s options in the transfer market seem limited, as Nottingham Forest, one of his potential suitors, has already signed a new goalkeeper. Other potential destinations for Kelleher have not been mentioned yet. In the past, he has attracted interest from clubs like Celtic, Brighton, and Brentford. However, these clubs already have established goalkeepers or have made recent signings in that position.
Liverpool is currently without their first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson, who is on holiday during pre-season. Youngsters Marcelo Pitaluga, Fabian Mrozek, Harvey Davies, and Kornel Misciur are currently training with the team. As Kelleher weighs his options and considers his future, it remains to be seen where he will end up and if he will achieve his goal of becoming a number one goalkeeper.