Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane has suggested goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher should leave the Reds in order to play regular football.
Kelleher joined Liverpool’s academy in 2015 and has slowly established himself as the club’s number two in between the sticks, deputising Alisson Becker.
The Irishman has made 17 appearances for the North West side’s first team now, and was pivotal to their EFL Cup victory last season, scoring the decisive penalty in the 11-10 penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea.
However, Kelleher has yet to play a minute of football this season after sustaining a groin injury prior to the new campaign kicking off.
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And Keane believes there may be no other option for the 23-year-old other than to depart the club.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the legendary Ireland striker said: “How long do you hold fire for? That’s his problem."
"Is he good enough to play No.1 for a Premier League team? I definitely think he is from what I’ve seen of him."
“He looks calm, authoritative and he’s very good with his feet. The problem is you’ve got one of the best goalkeepers in the world in front of you- so what can you do?"
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"Only he can answer that. 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."
“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.”
Reports in the summer suggested Kelleher was willing to remain as Alisson’s understudy for one final season, learning from Brazil’s number one, before moving on and establishing himself as a number one elsewhere.
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It looks likely this will materialise now, and you would expect him to get some minutes in cup competitions this term.
Topics: Liverpool
Alfie Culshaw