When news broke earlier this month that Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper had signed a new contract, many were hoping that it was in reference to Caoimhin Kelleher. It was actually Adrian and Liverpool fans were not getting the positive news they were expecting on Kelleher.
Now there’s more news related to Kelleher’s future – and it seems to point towards an Anfield exit for the Republic of Ireland international.
RTÉ report that Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny believes Caoimhin Kelleher will leave Liverpool in the summer, with the move coming at the right time for the Irish keeper to advance his career elsewhere.
“Caoimhin is a very talented goalkeeper,” Kenny said at the announcement of his squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 double-header against Greece and Gibraltar.
“It looks like he’ll be on the move this summer and he can only benefit [from that]. He needs to play games.
“He’s been starved of games this season, it’s been a problem for him. 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.
“He knew that earlier this season and I think he’s been in dialogue with Liverpool about that for a long time. It’s most likely it’ll happen you would think in the summer.
“I would fully expect [him to move]. He’s at the stage where he’s behind one of the best goalkeepers in the world. You can’t improve by not playing. He knows that. He’s known that for a while. I think he’s ready to go and play regularly, because he needs to.
“The previous season was a great success for him, winning the [Carabao] Cup, playing in the cup competitions. They were knocked out early this year and there was not so much football for him.”
The news will be disappointing for Reds fans, although many will not begrudge Kelleher the opportunity to go to another Premier League club and establish himself as a no. 1 elsewhere. Kelleher is hugely popular with the Liverpool fanbase with many viewing him as the best no. 2 in the league.
With Adrian signing a new deal, it seems that the interest in Kelleher from other clubs should substantiate into something more concrete in the coming weeks.
