Chris Sutton believes Caoimhín Kelleher will seek to leave Liverpool if his recent good form is not rewarded with a longer run in Arne Slot’s team.
The 26-year-old has been at Anfield since 2019, but for most of that has been stuck behind the outstanding Alisson Becker – until the door cracked open a few weeks ago.
With the Brazilian injured Kelleher has come in and done well in the last seven games, so much so that some are even wondering whether he should retain his place now that the long-term No. 1 is nearing a return to fitness.
Speaking about the situation on the Monday Night Club, Nottingham Forest fan Sutton suggested the Ireland international, who has been linked with a move to the City Ground in the last transfer window, will look to move on.
“I wonder with Kelleher longer term, I think he's established himself well enough now he won't want to hang around next season anyway,” the former Blackburn and Celtic striker said.
“He's certainly proved himself as probably one of the best backup keepers, if not the best backup keeper I think I've ever seen in the Premier League and he won't want to hang around at Liverpool next season, I suspect.”
Pundit Rob Green, who played for West Ham and England, agreed and suggested the imminent arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer could be the signal for him to leave the Reds.
“Yeah, he's done enough,” Green said. “I think [Giorgi] Mamardashvili, signing him for £25 million or whatever it was kind of the final nail in the coffin for him.
“If this is his [Alisson’s] long goodbye before going off to Saudi or somewhere like that, then it seems a really bitter pill to swallow to say ‘Well, we've already made a decision and you've got to hang around until he comes along’ is adding insult to injury and it just goes to show how well he's done.
“But this is his window and I think that's too much for me. You sit there and go ‘I've proved myself at every opportunity and still this is how I get treated. Thanks but no, thanks.’”
As things stand Matz Sels is Forest’s first choice and by and large he has done well since joining from Strasbourg, although there has been the odd shaky moment. He is backed up by Carlos Miguel who joined from Corinthians in the summer.
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