Liverpool look set to be celebrating a Premier League title come the end of the season but one star’s final outing could already have happened – and it was a miserable one
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher might NEVER play for the club again with a favourite now emerging for his signature. The Irish star has been back-up to regular number one Alisson over recent seasons but has been keen for more first-team football. He was however handed a rare start in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle before the international break.
And that might actually end up being his final appearance, with Kelleher expected once again to push for an exit. Liverpool have just nine games of the season left to play, with Alisson expected to start in goal for all of those.
Kelleher’s task to oust the Brazilian looks even harder next season with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to finally arrive from Valencia in the summer. Luckily for Kelleher, he has plenty of interest should he choose to depart Anfield.
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According to The Sun, Bournemouth are ‘confident’ of winning the race for the Ireland international, with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell. Intriguingly, the Blues also hold an interest in Kelleher with both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen failing to inspire.
Tottenham and Newcastle are also in the race, albeit PSR restrictions could limit the recent Carabao Cup winners. That leaves Bournemouth as front-runners, with Andoni Iraola keen on the Cherries moving quickly once the window opens
The South Coast side could also offer him European football next term but the 26-year-old does not believe that to be a necessity in selecting his next club.
Anfield chiefs will reportedly not stand in Kelleher’s way should he request to leave. Explaining why he was handed a start at Wembley, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “It wasn’t difficult.
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“It was only once when I played Alisson [in the League Cup] and that was only when he had been out injured and needed playing time to be back to his best. For all the other games, we have played the second choice. That was Jaros when Caoimhin was the No.1. Caoimhin has always done so well so deserves to play in this one.”
Speaking about his future last September, Kelleher said: “I made it clear in the last few years, I want to go be a No.1 and play week in, week out.
“The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, it looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.
“My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a No.1, playing week in, week out. Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like it is 100 per cent my decision but at times, it is not always in my hands.”
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