Liverpool look likely to make some changes to the playing squad over the next six or seven months.
The Reds were largely quiet during 2024, opting to stay with the same players across most of the calendar year.
And although Arne Slot will not want to disrupt things too much after an excellent start at Liverpool, the Reds’ have already shown a willingness to look to the future.
The contract situations regarding Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah remain ongoing and it is yet to be determined whether the trio will need replacing in the Liverpool squad.
But one player who’s spot has already seemingly been given away is back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has already been signed to join up at Anfield next summer. And according to former Liverpool player Jason McAteer, that has left Kelleher with a ‘big choice’ to make.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on December 06, 2024 in Kirkby...
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Caoimhin Kelleher set for Liverpool decision
Kelleher has had a funny career at Liverpool. Although he has only played 59 times for the Reds, he has turned out in some enormous games.
The 26-year-old has two League Cup final wins on his CV as the starting goalkeeper and has proven himself to be a Champions League quality goalie.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Kelleher stepped in brilliantly for Alisson while the Liverpool No.1 was injured this season, but with Mamardashvili set to join up, McAteer told beIN SPORTS that the Irishman has a big decision coming up.
“I think Caoimhin’s got to the point in his career now where he’s going to have to make a big choice at the end of the season,” says the pundit. “If he wants a career somewhere else to play rather than just sit on the bench waiting to get in.”
READ MORE: Chris Sutton says where Caoimhin Kelleher ranks among the Premier League’s best ever number two ‘keepers
“Chelsea is the big one, [Robert] Sanchez… Caoimhin’s valuation would certainly have gone up over the past couple of seasons. From what we’ve seen you’re probably looking at 30 or 40 million for him.
“There were a couple of offers in the summer but he decided he wanted to stay. But with Mamardashvili coming, I think that’s saying to him ‘go and have a career’.”
Kelleher likely to leave Liverpool
It has already been reported that Kelleher is the most likely Liverpool player to leave in 2025.
The Ireland international has made no secret of his desire to get more regular first-team football and he deserves that opportunity.
Season Appearances
2019/20 4
2020/21 5
2021/22 8
2022/23 4
2023/24 26
2024/25* 12*
Caoimhin Kelleher Liverpool appearances
However, while McAteer is right that his performances have put Kelleher in the £30-40m bracket, it’s unlikely that Liverpool will be able to bank that much.
The goalkeeper’s contract is up in 2026, meaning that the Reds know they are in a weakened position to negotiate.
Kelleher should still fetch a decent sum as Liverpool won’t want to let him go on the cheap. But the chance to earn the top price for him has been and gone. Now it’s just about finding Kelleher the right club to show his considerable talents on a weekly basis.
Related Posts