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Liverpool 'expect 26-year-old to push for summer transfer'

Liverpool 'expect 26-year-old to push for summer transfer'
© Reuters
Liverpool reportedly believe that second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will push for a summer move away from the club in search of regular minutes.

Liverpool reportedly expect one of their second-string players to push for a move away from the club when the summer transfer window opens for business.

With Alisson Becker proving himself as one of the world's best shot-stoppers during his time at Anfield, number two Caoimhin Kelleher has only been able to make a fleeting impression.

Despite his lack of action, Kelleher was lauded for his knockout contributions before the 2023-24 season, having shone during the Reds' run to glory in the 2021-22 EFL Cup.

The Republic of Ireland international unexpectedly earned a run in the first XI in the current campaign too, and he has made 10 Premier League appearances thanks to Alisson's recent injuries.

Kelleher has also been a regular in the Europa League and played every minute as Jurgen Klopp's men regained the EFL Cup crown, but despite acclamation of his performances, he was demoted back down to his bench role upon Alisson's exit from the treatment room.

Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher pictured during the warm-up on July 30, 2023© Reuters

Kelleher searching for regular game time

The 25-year-old was tipped to make an exit from Anfield last summer amid growing interest in his services, but Klopp insisted that only an "extraordinary" offer would be considered, and he ultimately stayed put at Anfield.

Kelleher's Liverpool deal still has another two years left to run, but he has put himself in the shop window with his performances this season, in particular earning plaudits for his one-on-one ability.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool believe that the goalkeeper will try to force a transfer elsewhere ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, as he is desperate to be number one for both club and country.

After a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers was blocked last year, Kelleher is supposedly increasingly likely to head for the exit door this summer, and the Reds will not stand in his way if an appropriate bid is tabled.

Liverpool have supposedly slapped a £20m valuation onto the head of the Irishman, who has also been linked with switches to Brentford, Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur, the former of whom will lose David Raya to Arsenal permanently this summer.

Who could Liverpool target to replace Kelleher?

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher warms up in January 2023© Reuters

Having enhanced his credentials in between the sticks for a number of years now, Kelleher's yearning for the number one spot was inevitable, even though he has been hailed by some as the best number two on the planet.

The 25-year-old could be one of two Reds shot-stoppers departing this summer, as 37-year-old Adrian is out of contract in June, and it is unclear if incoming boss Arne Slot will deem Under-21s goalkeepers - Fabian Mrozek, Harvey Davies, Marcelo Pitaluga and Vitezslav Jaros - ready for the first-team step-up.

If not, Liverpool should dip their toe into the transfer market for a new number two if Kelleher departs, and Sunderland's Anthony Patterson is believed to be of interest to the Reds.

Arsenal and Chelsea could rival their Merseyside counterparts for the Black Cats man, but should Liverpool opt for experience, Paris Saint-Germain's Keylor Navas and Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels will both be on the hunt for new clubs this summer.

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