Kelleher set for his biggest call yet after helping Liverpool to Carabao Cup win

28 February 2024 , 06:00

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Caoimhin Kelleher has a big decision to make on his Liverpool future (Image: Getty Images)

When the euphoria of Liverpool’s record 10th Carabao Cup win fades, Caoimhin Kelleher has a big decision to make on his future.

Kelleher excelled for Liverpool against Chelsea as he picked up a second richly-deserved Carabao Cup winners’ medal after scoring what proved to be the winning penalty in the 2022 Final.

Jurgen Klopp hailed Kelleher saying Liverpool have the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson and the best back-up. But that compliment sums up Kelleher’s predicament at Liverpool. Alisson will return as No 1 when he recovers from his hamstring injury at the end of next month and Kelleher will revert to the bench.

As pleasing as it is for the Irishman to have made 17 appearances this season - and 37 in total for the Reds - he will only ever be No 2 at Anfield. Liverpool are in no rush to dispense with Alisson and he is under contract until 2027.

The clock is ticking for Kelleher, he turned 25 in November and how much longer does he want to be Alisson’s understudy? No doubt there will be more offers for him in the summer and Liverpool rejected a £15million offer for him from Nottingham Forest last month.

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Alisson is safe as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper (PA)

Celtic also love him and would like him to replace Joe Hart as their No 1. Though they already appear priced out of the market and Kelleher’s value is only increasing. If Burnley paid £15million, rising to £19million, for James Trafford in the summer when he had not made a single Premier League appearance, what is Kelleher worth?

Liverpool can start the bidding at £30million and Kelleher can boast 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland. The Cork-born Kelleher has been at Liverpool since he joined their academy in 2015 and is a proven Premier League performer.

Caoimhin Kelleher helped Liverpool win the Carabao Cup (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Of course, Liverpool do not want to lose him and he will have two more years left on his Anfield deal come the summer.

But the question Kelleher must ask himself is is he happy being a small part of something big or would be prefer to be a big part of something smaller?

Yes, he probably wouldn’t pick up a Carabao Cup winners’ medal if he left Liverpool, but he has shown he is definitely good enough to be a Premier League regular. He’s maturing very well and he has been outstanding in his latest spell in the first team.

Chelsea could not find a way past Caoimhin Kelleher at Wembley (Getty Images)

OK, he was at fault for Luton’s goal at Anfield last week, but he saved Liverpool against Burnley and against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. Now he must decide if it is time to move or stay at Liverpool.

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David Anderson