Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool refuse loan exit as highly-rated star nears end of Anfield stint, with criteria set to narrow replacement search

Liverpool players Harvey Elliott and Caoimhin Kelleher

It is becoming increasingly likely that Liverpool will sell Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer, according to a report that has provided the latest on the goalkeeper’s future.

Kelleher currently serves as the main deputy to Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. However, with the Brazilian still at the top of his game, Kelleher’s patience might be beginning to run out.

Indeed, the Irishman has only appeared three times in cup competitions for Liverpool this season. He has only ever played four times for them in the Premier League, all before this season.

At the age of 24, there is no hiding from the fact that Kelleher is someone who deserves more opportunities elsewhere – but since his contract with Liverpool is due to last until 2026 and some outfield players are coming under scrutiny, he has not been the leading candidate to leave Liverpool yet.

Jurgen Klopp rates Kelleher highly, so would not necessarily want to lose him. However, all at Liverpool must understand the player’s wishes – and they seemingly do.

Recently, The Athletic named Kelleher as an “obvious contender” to be sold by the club if they need to raise some funds.

Perhaps an ideal solution would be to send Kelleher out on loan. That way, even though he is slightly older than many loanees, they would not lose control of his career. But according to the latest updates, Liverpool are against the idea of sending him elsewhere on anything other than a permanent transfer.

The information is coming from The Sun, whose report claims Kelleher “may have to be sold” because of Liverpool’s stance.

As things stand, they have no intention of listening to loan proposals for him, despite many clubs taking an interest on such terms. In turn, the prospect of Kelleher being sold in the summer is become more concrete.

According to the report, Liverpool will be “fair” to Kelleher if he indicates he would rather move somewhere he can play more. It is not yet clear how much they might raise by selling him.

Liverpool begin to form Kelleher replacement plans

It would create a small dilemma for Liverpool, though, in terms of how to replace him. As an academy product, he counts towards their quota of homegrown players.

With that in mind, The Sun suggests Liverpool might have to look for a British goalkeeper to replace him. Furthermore, they must be ready to acknowledge they will largely be a bench player.

Again, there are no specific suggestions of potential targets just yet.

But it might be tricky for Liverpool to settle on someone who Klopp can trust as much as Kelleher when Alisson isn’t available.

It is rare, though, that Alisson misses games. Besides, the former Roma man is still under contract until 2027. So, identifying someone to occupy a shadow role in his department may not be the biggest concern – albeit still one to give serious considerations to – for Liverpool to resolve.

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