Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has said he would like to see Caoimhin Kelleher leave Liverpool this summer in order to play regular minutes.
The goalkeeper has played just two Premier League matches since Alisson returned from injury in mid-December, when Kelleher briefly deputized after the first-choice stopper suffered a concussion.
Those outings have been rare in the second half of the campaign and, with Liverpool set to add another goalkeeper to its ranks in the summer in the form of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hallgrimsson feels it’s time for the Irishman to move on. “I just want Caoimhin to go to a club where he will play on a regular level,” the Ireland boss said, as per the Irish Echo.
“He has been playing at the highest level, whether it’s the Champions League or the Premier League and done really well. I just want him to be happy and play regularly.
“Caoimhin has spoken about it himself, but I don’t mind where he goes so long as he is playing on a regular basis because he is too good not to be playing.”
As referenced by Hallgrimsson, Kelleher has been outspoken in the past about his desire to establish himself as a no.1 elsewhere. With his contract set to expire next year, it’s likely that the 26-year-old youth-team graduate will depart.
He has been linked with several clubs, most recently Leeds United, while Bournemouth and West Ham United have also been credited with interest.
Kelleher has made 67 senior appearances for Liverpool, including 20 this campaign. Half of those came in the Premier League, with the man from Cork certainly deserving of his second league winners’ medal.
The Liverpool stopper has established himself as first choice at the international level. Kelleher has earned 22 international caps and has started 12 of the last 13 Ireland games, ensuring he has overtaken Gavin Buzuna as his country’s no.1.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld told Liverpool.com in March that he also feels it is time for Kelleher to move on after four years as Alisson’s primary backup.
“With Kelleher, I think his time has come to play regularly as a no.1 somewhere,” said Arne Slot’s former teammate. “In the Premier League and Championship, he could be a great goalkeeper for almost all of the teams that there are.
“He’s a quality goalkeeper and he needs to play. As a fan I would like him to stay another a bit longer but then Liverpool would have two of the best goalkeepers in Europe [behind Alisson].”
