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The 26-year-old has made three Champions League appearances this season.
Newcastle United have emerged as the new favourites to sign highly-rated Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the January transfer window.
The Magpies are believed to be in the market for a long-term goalkeeper to solidify their defence after a poor start to the season which has seen the team keep just two clean sheets since an opening day victory against Southampton at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s defence has conceded an alarming 21 goals from 15 matches - including four away to Brentford last time out.
This is four higher than the 17 goals that Newcastle had shipped at this time last season before Nick Pope’s initial shoulder injury and a 75% increase on the 12 Newcastle had conceded en route to finishing after 15 matches in 2022/23.
Newcastle fans have at times been critical of Pope’s form since returning from injury last season and his distribution of the ball has been questioned with the team at times conceding needless throw-ins and passing up possession of the ball.
Pope is regarded as superior option to Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie but now faces a minimum of a month on the sidelines with an injury which has accelerated Newcastle’s need to begin searching for a long-term replacement.
Gambling.com understands that Newcastle are now 11/8 favourites to make a move for Kelleher and adds that the Magpies have a 42% chance of being the Republic of Ireland international’s next club. Kelleher progressed through the academy at Liverpool and has racked up 59 appearances in total for the Red since making his debut in 2019.
The 20-time Republic of Ireland international has acted as deputy to Alisson Becker and has been hugely impressive whenever he has been called upon. He starred in League Cup final victories over Chelsea in 2022 and 2023 along with high-profile match-ups against both Manchester United and Manchester City.
However, at 26 years of age, and with his contract expiring in 2026, Kelleher is keen to secure regular first team football, which looks increasingly unlikely to come at Anfield after the return of Allison from injury and the £29m signing of youngster Giorgi Mamardashvili, who starred for Georgia in Euro 2024.
Mamardashvili, who is currently on loan at Valencia, is expected to emerge as a competitor for the number one spot with Allison, in a move which is likely to leave Kelleher as third choice and surplus to requirements. Kelleher has recently been dropped back to the bench despite impressing in his 12 outings this season and former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given believes now is the perfect time for him to leave Merseyside.
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He told Sun Sport: "Caoimhin is going to be thinking 'it doesn't matter what I do' because the last spell of games he has been absolutely brilliant. He had one mistake at Newcastle but he has been absolutely phenomenal.
"He can do no more to get in that team and the manager puts Alisson back in. It is frustrating for Kelleher. I would be headbutting the plane on the way home thinking, 'What do I need to do?'. Well I know what he needs to do - get out of the club."
These views were echoed by ex-England international Paul Robinson, who added: “It’s his time to go to another club and be the number one.”
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