Caoimhin Kelleher has been part of the Liverpool first team since 2019 but has featured just over 50 times for the club. Alisson Becker has been the undisputed number one goalkeeper at Anfield and the Irishman has had little hope of getting an extended run in the first team barring injuries.
Kelleher has stood up in recent weeks in the absence of Alisson, who is out injured, but everyone is aware that the Irishman is probably in his last season at Anfield.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will join Liverpool from Valencia next summer; he is seen as the long-term replacement for Alisson and not Kelleher, who has been his deputy for half a decade.
Everyone knew that he wanted to leave Liverpool last summer and Nottingham Forest were interested in signing him but the Reds blocked a transfer away from Anfield.
However, the Merseyside giants have accepted that they can’t keep Kellerher happy forever given his status in the squad and expect him to leave the club at the end of the season.
Given his performances whenever he has been called upon, the 25-year-old would hope to attract significant interest from clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
Here is a list of three clubs that could come into the picture for the Irishman if and when he becomes available for sale next summer.
Nottingham Forest
Forest wanted to sign Kelleher last summer but were rebuffed by Liverpool who didn’t want to lose him. Matz Sels has been the number one for the East Midlands club this season but he is 32 and Forest are likely to be looking for a new goalkeeper next summer. Kelleher is still only 25 and is seen as a top goalkeeper despite being the number 2 at Anfield for years. It would not be any surprise if Forest decided to rekindle their interest in the Irishman. The club would want to bring in a new number one and in Kelleher, they could be set between the sticks for years to come. However, any deal would have to make financial sense to both clubs and there were claims that Forest’s offer for Kelleher last summer was not considered good enough. With Edu likely to be in charge of their transfers next summer, Forest would hope to be more savvy if they push to sign the goalkeeper from Liverpool.
West Ham
The Hammers have three goalkeepers in their squad but not one of them looks like a number one. Lukasz Fabianski has been a consistent performer in the Premier League but he is 39 and is likely to leave in the summer. Alphonse Areola is yet to convince anyone that he is good enough to be their top goalkeeper and Wes Foderingham will never be the answer. West Ham are one of the clubs who are certain to be in the market for a new number one next summer. Kelleher is expected to be on their radar given his experience in the Premier League and the consistency he has displayed whenever he has been called upon. A move to London could also appeal to the Irishman who wants to prove that he is good enough to be a number one at a decent-sized Premier League club. West Ham are expected to be in the race for Kelleher at the end of the season.
Can you name the club Liverpool sold these players to?
Newcastle United
Nick Pope is the undisputed number-one goalkeeper at Newcastle but he is in his 30s and there remains a feeling that the club need someone who is more comfortable with the ball at his feet. Newcastle were in the market for a goalkeeper in the summer and they are aware that they would eventually need an upgrade on Pope to move the team forward. In Kelleher, Newcastle would be getting a modern goalkeeper who can play out from the back and allow the team to take the next step in their development. A move to St. James’ Park would also appeal to the Irishman given their reputation of being the next club that could break into the top echelons of English football in the coming years given their Saudi owners have fat pockets. However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be willing to sell Kelleher to a club who are expected to be a threat to the Merseyside giants in the coming years.
