Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny expects to see Caoimhin Kelleher push to leave Liverpool this summer after another year on the bench at the Premier League giants.
Alisson Becker’s long-term back-up will celebrate his 25th birthday in November.
And, with just five Premier League appearances on his CV, it’s no wonder Caoimhin Kelleher is weighing up his options. The Liverpool benchwarmer admitted a few months ago that he would ‘rather be playing’ than watching on from the sidelines.
But with Alisson as impeccable as ever, Kenny believes that a man competing with Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu for a starting spot on the international stage will have a decision to make as the transfer window creaks open.
Will Caoimhin Kelleher leave Liverpool?
“I would fully expect that (Kelleher may look to leave),” Kenny tells the Irish Independent.
“It’s not right normally to speak about a player moving. But he’s at the stage where he’s behind probably one of the best goalkeepers in the world and it’s not going to get any easier.”
Kelleher has already played twice as many games for the Republic of Ireland (10) as he has in England’s top-flight under Jurgen Klopp. The likes of Tottenham, Brentford, and Aston Villa have been linked amid doubts over the futures of Hugo Lloris, David Raya and Emi Martinez, though Klopp insists that Kelleher will not be going anywhere for less than an ‘extraordinary’ fee (Independent).
“He can’t afford not playing,” Kenny adds. He knows that and he’s known that for a while.
“It’s not easy. There’s a process you go through with a club like that, and I think and it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to move in the summer, and he knows that.
“I think he’s ready to go and play regularly because he needs to. It’s hard to leave Liverpool, it’s such an iconic club, but he’s not so young now. He’s 24 and he needs to play and he knows that.”
Kelleher was handed a rare start during Liverpool’s final day trip to Southampton last week. He hardly covered himself in glory, however, conceding four goals during a thrilling draw with the bottom-of-the-table side.
The Daily Mail believe that £15 million may be enough to twist Klopp’s arm.
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