Liverpool give their blessing for 'perfect' player to leave Anfield next summer as decision finally reached
Liverpool are set to allow a player to leave Anfield next summer after five successful seasons at the club.
Life has started well for Arne Slot at Liverpool. Since the Dutchman arrived from Feyenoord in July – replacing Jurgen Klopp – he has seen his side win nine of their ten matches, with the only blot on their record coming against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 home defeat on September 14.
One of the main issues he experienced since arriving on Merseyside was the failure to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Spain international rejected a move to the Reds in favour of staying at the Basque club.
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As a result, Ryan Gravenberch has stepped into the ‘six role’ and so far has impressed fans. That problem is solved for now, but a huge issue occurred in the Reds' 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on October 5. Number one ‘keeper Alisson injured his hamstring while clearing a ball at Selhurst Park.
He was replaced by little-known third choice, ‘keeper Vítězslav Jaroš, as usual number two Caoimhin Kelleher was sidelined due to illness.
Alisson was ruled out of the recent international break and could be out of the Reds’ home match against Chelsea this Sunday.
Kelleher was the subject of speculation in the summer transfer window after Nottingham Forest submitted a bid that was rejected by Liverpool. Kelleher will likely be in goal for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday, but his long-term future may lie elsewhere.
According to Football Insider, the 25-year-old will be allowed to leave Liverpool this summer. He has played 49 times for the Reds and played a pivotal role in their 2022 Carabao Cup win against Chelsea.
He put in a fine performance and scored a penalty in the shoot-out to help the Reds capture the trophy at Wembley.
Despite his clear signs of potential, his path to becoming a first-choice goalkeeper at Liverpool seems blocked.
The Reds recently confirmed that Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili will join Liverpool on July 1, 2025 – he was loaned back to Valencia for the duration of the 2024/25 season.
It would be wise to assume that Mamardashvili is the likely successor to Alisson. Therefore, if the Irishman’s ambition is to be a first-choice ‘keeper, this may well have to be at a different club.
Kelleher is under contract at Liverpool until 2026 but has expressed his desire to be number one.
“It would be great if that [becoming number one] happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly,” he told The Athletic in May 2024.
“I know that Ali [Alisson] has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years.”
“I love being at Liverpool, and hopefully, there’s more to come there,” he added.
“But I feel like I’ve done my years as a No 2. The ambition now is to be a No 1. I am ready and capable.”
Although Kelleher’s ultimate goal is to become a number one, he received praise from former England and Arsenal ‘keeper David Seaman over his suitability for a back-up role earlier this year.
“It’s the sign of a fantastic number two that Caoimhín Kelleher can come in and play his game right from the off,” Seaman said, as quoted by the Irish Examiner.
“He doesn’t need time to get settled in or anything like that — he’s making big saves all the time. He’s the perfect number two.”
Topics: Arne Slot, Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League, Alisson Becker
Luke Davies