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Liverpool have a lot of big decisions to make ahead of the 2025 winter and summer transfer windows.
Liverpool are heading into the final fixtures of 2024 in a very strong position at the top of the Premier League table. In the wake of doubts that the Reds would struggle in the immediate post-Jurgen Klopp era, they have hit the ground running under Arne Slot and are heavily in the running to take home the title in his first season in charge.
While Liverpool are being discussed as favourites to win the Premier League, one of the main talking points surrounding the club right now is the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. All three players are out of contract next summer and reports of a new deal continue to bounce off each other and give fans a lot to discuss.
The trio aren’t the only ones linked with a potential exit either. Slot’s first summer at Liverpool was a quiet one but they could be in for a busy 2025. Caoimhin Kelleher was heavily linked with an exit last summer, with Celtic one of the main clubs in the running for him as they looked to replace Joe Hart.
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The Republic of Ireland international had made it clear that he wanted to become a first choice goalkeeper, which is not something Liverpool are able to offer him while Alisson is still on the books. At 32 and still under contract until 2027, it doesn’t look like the Brazilian is going anywhere in the immediate future. However, it seems the Reds have already made their first step towards eventually replacing him.
Despite having Kelleher as their No.2, Liverpool opted to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili over the summer. He will join his new teammates at the end of this season. Following the deal in August, a number of outlets reported that he was seemingly being lined up to eventually replace Alisson as Liverpool’s first choice. Despite Kelleher stepping up every time he has been called upon, the Reds have opted to sign another club’s first choice goalkeeper read for next season.
This surely means the aim is to make Mamardashvili the immediate No.2 at Anfield. A fresh report from Sheffield Wednesday News has claimed that Liverpool are also keeping tabs on 19-year-old Pierce Charles. The young shot-stopper is yet to make his Championship debut for the Owls but he started every single Carabao Cup match this season. Reportedly available for a cheap price, Liverpool could snap up a big talent for the future. If they do that, surely it sets Kelleher’s future in stone.
If £25 million Mamardashvili is set to be Alisson’s deputy and eventual successor, and someone like Charles is being considered for a third choice, there is no space for Kelleher to get the minutes he deserves.
Back in 2022, Jurgen Klopp labelled Kelleher the ‘best No.2 in the world’, a title that has carried forward and been given to him by pundits this season. After their Carabao Cup win which saw Kelleher scored the decisive penalty, the former Liverpool manager said: “For me, Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No. 2 goalie in the world as well. The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more.
“So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right. And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class.”
Kelleher is under contract until 2026, so next summer is realistically the club’s last chance to make a decent amount on his sale. It’s very hard to imagine the 26-year-old signing a new deal when he’s seemingly not in line to become the first choice any time soon. Parting ways with him next summer will be a huge miss but Kelleher has proven time and time again he is far too good to play second string, and the Reds will only spite themselves by missing out on a very pretty profit if they refuse to sell.
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