Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk has given his advice to Caoimhin Kelleher amid the expectation that the Ireland international will seek a new challenge in the summer.
Liverpool restored their 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton in a tense Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Diogo Jota’s clinical finish just before the hour mark proved decisive. Arne Slot’s side showed resilience rather than brilliance as they moved another step closer to securing what would be a record-equaling 20th English league title.
The match began with controversy when Everton defender James Tarkowski was fortunate to escape punishment for what many considered a reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.
Even former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson described it as a “disgraceful” tackle that warranted a red card, yet referee Samuel Barrott only produced a yellow, with VAR official Paul Tierney opting not to intervene
Be a PL champion! And that’s what the aim is for the rest of the season. What happens after the season we will see then… we all committed to the club and we all have to fight in order to get our big dreams ready.
The victory continues David Moyes’ dismal record at Anfield, with the Scotsman now winless in 22 visits to the stadium, having lost 15 and drawn seven2. For Arne Slot, the result represents a welcome return to winning ways after those consecutive defeats before the international break.
Caoimhin Kelleher returned in-between sticks after it was adjudged that Alisson Becker still had to observe one more step in the concussion protocol after his head clash with the Brazil national team.
Kelleher performed admirably, and was yet another showing that put him in the shop window for the summer window.
The 26-year-old has made it clear that he seeks regular first-team football, and Liverpool’s recent transfer activity has all but confirmed his future lies away from Anfield.
The club’s decision to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £25 million, with the Georgian goalkeeper set to arrive in the summer of 2025, signals a significant reshuffle in Liverpool’s goalkeeping hierarchy.
With Alisson Becker firmly entrenched as the first-choice goalkeeper, Kelleher would face even fewer opportunities for game time next season.
But Virgil van Dijk, while being asked on Kelleher and his future at the club ,has admitted that it will be a ‘wait-and-see’ situation regarding the shot-stopper in the summer:
“Be a PL champion! And that’s what the aim is for the rest of the season,” Van Dijk replied when asked by Off The Ball.
“What happens after the season we will see then.”
“He has a big job on his hands, whether he starts or has to make sure Ali is ready… we all committed to the club and we all have to fight in order to get our big dream ready.”
With just 12 months left on his current deal and no intention of signing an extension, Liverpool appear ready to cash in on Caoimhín Kelleher, a player who has made significant strides since joining from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015.
The highly-rated goalkeeper is expected to attract plenty of interest when the transfer window opens.
🗣️ ‘Become a Premier League champion!’@LFC‘s Virgil van Dijk talks to @nathanmurf about his ‘one moment of defensive uncertainty’, and his advice to Caoimhin Kelleher to get more first team football. | #LFC
Off The Ball Football w/ @WilliamHillIre. pic.twitter.com/IutHq2F8XK
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) April 2, 2025
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