Liverpool star Klopp can’t keep happy attracts Wolves as £20m replacement for Nottingham Forest target

Wolves have emerged as potential bidders for Liverpool backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, according to a report.

Kelleher has had to put up with a deputy role for Liverpool while being behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order. This summer, Jurgen Klopp might finally have to bid farewell to the trusted backup goalkeeper, who wants regular first-team football elsewhere.

Despite his relative lack of opportunities, Kelleher has shown enough in his cameos to suggest he could be capable of occupying a starting berth for a different Premier League club.

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are among Kelleher’s admirers. They may be able to sign him by bidding £20m.

Their interest comes in the wake of Nottingham Forest targeting their own main goalkeeper, Jose Sa. Forest have lost Keylor Navas after his loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain and are still working to get Dean Henderson back from Manchester United.

Therefore, Steve Cooper’s side could prise Sa away from Wolves, in which case Julen Lopetegui’s side would need to source a capable replacement.

By the age of 24, Kelleher still only has 21 senior appearances to his name for Liverpool, where he remains under contract until 2026.

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Clearly, he needs a chance to prove himself at club level, having earned 10 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Wolves could capture Kelleher as one of two Irish recruits

Interestingly, TEAMtalk recently revealed that Wolves are close to re-signing Matt Doherty, who is an international colleague of Kelleher.

Wolves’ transfer window seems to be starting to spark into life after a slow start that threatened to put Lopetegui’s commitment to the club at risk.

If they can get Kelleher in, the focus will switch to how Liverpool will replace the void behind Alisson in their pecking order. The Brazil international is obviously established as number one, but Klopp will need to find someone he can rely on for when Alisson is unavailable or needs resting.

Adrian has committed to the club for another season, but will likely remain as third choice, leaving a vacancy for the number two spot.

In that regard, Kelleher has been someone Klopp has shown major belief in, but it hasn’t been enough on the pitch in order to convince the Cork-born shot-stopper to express more patience for his chance.

Earlier in the summer, Kelleher was linked with Tottenham and Brentford, but they have signed Guglielmo Vicario and Mark Flekken respectively. Now, Wolves may present a more viable exit route.