Caoimhin Kelleher is considered one of the best back-up goalkeepers in the Premier League and is held in high regard by both Liverpool fans and Jurgen Klopp. The Irishman has had many memorable moments when called upon by his manager, mainly for cup competitions, most famously Liverpool’s victory in the Carabao Cup final last season against Chelsea, in which Kelleher scored the winning penalty to secure the trophy for his team. Kelleher played in every League Cup game on Liverpool’s run to the final.
However, Jurgen Klopp may find it difficult to hold onto the 24-year-old, as a report by Paul Gorst from the Liverpool Echo suggests that Kelleher is considering his Liverpool future ahead of the summer.
Speaking after Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last week, Kelleher suggests that he will be considering his future once the season is over.
“Obviously when I get my chance I need to take it,” Kelleher said. “That is all I am focusing on really. I just need to be ready so I can step in if there’s an injury or if I’m needed. I am quite relaxed, so I don’t mind watching, but obviously I’d rather be playing but I just try to be as focused as I can be when I watch so I am ready if I am needed”.
Kelleher continued, “Listen, I think we’ve obviously only just come back into the middle of the season. So we’ll just see what the season brings and then after that we’ll see, we’ll see what happens after that. But I think at the moment, for now, I just have to be focused on trying to be ready for Liverpool”.
As is often the case with highly rated back-up goalkeepers, they don’t tend to stay around for long as the desire to be a number 1 elsewhere will usually lead them away from the club. Kelleher is unfortunate that he has one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world, ahead of him in Alisson Becker.
Jurgen Klopp would surely not stand in the Irishman’s way if it meant his career could develop away from Anfield. Although Liverpool fans would be saddened to see Kelleher depart, he has endeared himself to the Anfield faithful to such an extent that I believe that they would be happy to see him flourish at another club. Kelleher’s talent demands that he play first team football regularly.
Caoimhin Kelleher insists he will remain at Liverpool this season but has hinted he may consider his long-term options next summer.https://t.co/Y0wFnu0p92
— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) December 28, 2022
