Liverpool has a number of issues to address during the summer transfer window, with new head coach Andoni Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes having plenty of work to do
10:26, 06 Jun 2026Updated 10:31, 06 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola, manager of Bournemouth, inspects the pitch prior to kick-off during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at City Ground in Nottingham, United Kingdom, on May 24, 2026
Andoni Iraola has been tipped to bring a former Liverpool player back to Anfield(Image: Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher has been tipped to rejoin Liverpool amid ongoing intrigue surrounding the club's goalkeeping situation.
Andoni Iraola signed a two-year contract on Thursday to become the Reds' new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot. The 43-year-old faces several priorities at the AXA Training Centre - with the goalkeepers being one of them. Alisson Becker has been heavily linked with interest from Juventus, despite Liverpool having activated its option earlier this year to extend the Brazil international's contract until the end of next season.
While Slot suggested the club might face a decision this summer, it is understood the Reds have consistently wanted Alisson to remain, with reports in Brazil indicating he has chosen to reject approaches from the Serie A side and stay at Anfield for at least another year.
However, this could affect Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the Georgia international having featured 20 times this season. There have been suggestions the goalkeeper has been offered by his representatives on loan to clubs in Italy, reports the Liverpool Echo.
It's in this context that Kelleher has been backed to re-sign for Liverpool, who sold him to Premier League rival Brentford a year ago for an initial $16.7 million (£12.5M).
The Republic of Ireland international, who won six major honors with the Reds, was in outstanding form for the Bees this season and fully justified his decision to seek regular first-team football.
However, former Ireland, Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend believes Kelleher could yet make a return to Merseyside.
Caoimhin Kelleher left Liverpool for Brentford last summer
Caoimhin Kelleher left Liverpool for Brentford last summer(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)
He said: "I think he's a very reliable goalkeeper. He's developed into someone that I could see a bigger club than Brentford coming to take. When I look at Chelsea's goalie (Robert Sanchez), I don't think he even comes close to Caoimhin Kelleher.
"Brentford know they've got a good one, but it's got to be a bigger club. Brentford had a good season, but it's got to be a club like Liverpool or Chelsea. I remain convinced that he could do that. He doesn't want to go anywhere now where he isn't the number one, he's shown he can handle that.
"He's the national team number one by a distance. The last thing he wants to do is go to a club like Liverpool and find himself playing only 10 or 15 games a season. He's done that already. If he goes anywhere, he wants to go in as a number one.
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"I could totally see him going to Newcastle and being number one there, or Chelsea. If Alisson does decide to leave Liverpool, they could do a lot worse than Kelleher. They know him very well and whenever he played for Liverpool, he was always very dependable."
A further concern for Iraola is the center-back position. Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez remain the Spaniard's only senior choices in that role following Ibrahima Konate's departure.
While there are considerable hopes pinned on youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, both players are currently recovering from significant injuries. That's why Townsend reckons the Reds ought to be keen on another Republic of Ireland international currently at Brentford - captain Nathan Collins.
The pundit, speaking to OLBG, said: "He's done really well, Nathan Collins. I know that Spurs have just signed (Marcos) Senesi from Bournemouth. I think Nathan Collins would have been a good fit for them.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford celebrates with teammate Nathan Collins after Igor Thiago (not pictured) scored the second goal of the match during the Premier League match between Brentford and Sunderland at Gtech Community Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher celebrates with Brentford team-mate Nathan Collins - both players have been tipped as players who should be of interest to Liverpool(Image: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
"A boy playing in London, going to another London club, that can help. I think he could be a very talented center-half. He had too many mistakes in him 18 months ago, but he seems to have eradicated a lot of that. And he's a tall lad, he's quick enough, and he can play. So I think he's ready for an opportunity now to go and show that he can go up a notch. I think he can do it, I really do.
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"But whether Liverpool will be that and whether they would pay Brentford the sort of money they would want, I'm not sure, that is the only concern. But I think Nathan's got a lot of ability.
"I said a couple of years ago he was a little bit soft with his defensive work, giving away easy goals. I think now he's got better in that respect. There is a more ruthless element to what he's doing defensively now, he's a bit more solid.
"Because of that, I think certainly there's a number of clubs that could do with a player like him and would benefit."