David James says he would leave Premier League giants Liverpool if he found himself in the same situation as EFL Cup final hero Caoimhin Kelleher, speaking to Sky Sports.
It was a tale of three goalkeepers at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
One who shone with a title on the line, producing save after save, only to be hauled off seconds before the spot-kicks began. One who was brought on to make the difference in the penalty shoot-out and did exactly that, just not in the way his manager expected.
And another who, picked in contentious circumstances as a £67 million Brazil international watched on from the bench, proved once again that he can be relied upon even in the biggest of games, on the loftiest of stages.
When will Kelleher be Liverpool’s no 1?
Kelleher has barely put a foot – or a hand – wrong in 17 games between the sticks at Liverpool.
But, after Alisson Becker signed a new six-year deal with the 2020 Premier League champions, how much longer will this most reliable of back-ups be content with life in the shadows, restricted to cup cameos and the odd Wembley outing?
“It’s an interesting dynamic,” says James, the former England international and Liverpool glovesman.
“And something I’ve been noticing a lot more in the last year or two (is the) the rotation of squads. Liverpool and Manchester City seem to be doing it more than anybody else. And how players seem to be satisfied with not playing every week.
“Kelleher has proven himself as a very, very capable goalkeeper. Also, when Alisson signs a new deal, you ask the question; ‘Are you planning on being Liverpool’s next number one or is this just a stepping stone?’
“At the moment, he’s getting a lot of rave reviews and he can get away with not playing every week. But there will come a point where Liverpool have to make a decision. Or Kelleher has to make a decision.
“’Am I going to be a number one somewhere else? Or do I stay at this massive club, winning trophies and just playing my part in cup matches, essentially?’
“I would leave. Leaving Liverpool is a big decision to make, especially for someone like Kelleher.”
Will Kelleher go?
Klopp’s decision to place his trust in the 23-year-old Irishman – rather than re-call Alisson to the starting XI against Chelsea was, at the very least, undeniable proof of the manager’s faith in the ever-reliable Kelleher.
The EFL Cup, Klopp said, was the ‘Caoimhin Kelleher competition’.
One suspects, sooner rather than later, Kelleher would like to prove that he belongs on the Premier League stage too.
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