Arne Slot is keen to keep Caoimhin Kelleher at Anfield but the Liverpool hierarchy are open to offers with the Premier League benchwarmer keen to play regular first-team football going forward.
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The long-serving Republic of Ireland international has made no secret of his desire to put an end to his days of sitting on the sidelines.
Caoimhin Kelleher played a career-best 26 games across all competitions in 2023/24. That, however, was largely due to an injury-hit season for Liverpool’s number one Alisson Becker, with Kelleher finding himself back on the bench as soon as the Brazilian made his return.
Speaking to The Athletic a few months ago, the Cork-born shot-stopper then admitted – not for the first time – that he would consider leaving the Merseyside giants if offered the chance to become the number one elsewhere.
Caomhin Kelleher keen on Liverpool exit
“It was the first time in my career that I’d had a spell like that (in the starting XI) and I loved it,” said Kelleher, who’s run of game time at the start of 2024 paved the way for his stand-out display in the EFL Cup final triumph over Chelsea.
“I thrived on it. I’d been waiting for a moment like that. It was a massive opportunity for me to be Liverpool’s number one for that long.
“It was my time to show the level I believe I can perform at and the level people at the club think I’m able to play at. I proved that I’m good enough to play in the Premier League — I’m comfortable there. I’ve always had that belief in myself. Proving it to people was satisfying.
“I love the club, I love the fans and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. (But) whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a number one.”
HITC understands that Arne Slot is a big fan of Kelleher, who was labelled ‘world-class’ by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk after that Wembley masterclass against Chelsea, per Sky Sports.
But Slot’s Anfield bosses are reluctant to stand in Kelleher’s way. They are ready to listen to offers and – while Alisson’s back up has impressed during the pre-season tour of the USA – Kelleher remains unsettled with his role.
Premier League clubs in the market for a goalkeeper
There was a chance that Alisson could have departed earlier in the summer. The Saudi Pro League had shown an interest in him as well as Manchester City’s fellow Brazilian Ederson.
But Alisson is now set to stay at Anfield, and could yet be handed a new contract. This almost certainly serves to push Kelleher even further towards the exit.
It remains to be seen, however, which clubs come in for the 25-year-old between now and the start of September. Celtic had made Kelleher their first-choice target following Joe Hart’s retirement.
But Brendan Rodgers’ Scottish Premiership champions have since brought in Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo with Liverpool’s £25 million asking price well out of their financial reach, per The Athletic.
HITC understands that there are no shortage of Premier League-based clubs in the market for a new shot-stopper, meaning Kelleher’s availability is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Among them are Nottingham Forest, AFC Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and newly-promoted Leicester City.
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