Caoimhín Kelleher could push for his Liverpool exit ‘in a year’, says Robbie Keane. The goalkeeper is the Reds’ no.2.
Caoimhín Kelleher is in a strange position at Liverpool. He’s won trophies, even starting in the EFL Cup final and saving the decisive penalty at Wembley. That’s the kind of success few goalkeepers see.
At the same time, Kelleher rarely plays and has Alisson Becker in front of him. The Brazilian is arguably the world’s best and isn’t going anywhere for some time. Just what should Kelleher do, then?
Ireland’s record goalscorer, and ex-Liverpool striker, Robbie Keane thinks Kelleher may eventually ask to leave the club. Footballers need to play as many games as possible, he says, and that won’t happen at Anfield.
“There will definitely come a stage in his career, maybe in a few months or in a year, where he will want to go and play regular football,” Keane told the Liverpool Echo. “He’s going to have a problem because he has the best keeper in the world in front of him.
“He has to make a decision himself on whether to stay or go. I would encourage any player to try and play as many games as you can.
He is 23, a good age for a goalkeeper, but only he can answer whether he is happy or wants to leave.”
Caoimhín Kelleher may need Liverpool exit
It’s a difficult situation for everyone, in truth, but an inevitable one. Every team wants a quality backup in each position, including the goalkeeper. But the person between the sticks is typically the only player you needn’t rotate.
And so Liverpool have a wonderfully talented young goalkeeper who they almost need to force into the team as a necessity. Kelleher won’t naturally make the first-XI on pure merit, after all.
Where do you go from here, then? The only obvious answer is Kelleher pushing for a transfer as Keane says. At the very least, we imagine he’d want a high-profile loan to find regular football.
