Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher admits he is considering his future at Anfield, ahead of what increasingly feels like a summer exit.
The Irishman has been such an impressive servant for the Reds, never complaining about his lack of playing time and always performing well.
Kelleher has had to accept that ousting best-in-the-world Alisson is almost impossible, but the Brazilian’s injury-prone nature has still allowed him to shine.
It feels like the 26-year-old may have played his final game for Liverpool, however, especially with Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving from Valencia before next season gets underway.
Speaking to Optus Sports [via This Is Anfield] after the Reds’ 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, Kelleher admitted that he is “definitely” thinking about a new challenge this summer:
“I think I’ve said it before as well that I feel like I’m good enough to be a number one,” Kelleher said.
“I feel like I’m good enough to play week in, week out – and that’s what I’m looking to do. This season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games, but it’s definitely something I’m looking at.”
The ideal time for Kelleher to exit Liverpool
There is no shame in Kelleher leaving Liverpool, with the Republic of Ireland international simply at a point in his career where he needs to start regularly, which won’t happen as long as Alisson is at Anfield.
He is easily good enough to be an influential performer for another Premier League team, though, with Virgil van Dijk even calling him “world-class”, saying:
“I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I’ve always said he’s world class and he stepped up again today. It’s good to see, he’s a good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”
Kelleher will surely depart, and he will go as a popular figure among Liverpool supporters, having so rarely let the side down when he has been drafted into the starting lineup under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
He has started 10 games in the Premier League this season, standing tall during an important period of the campaign before Christmas, and he has all the tools to go on and enjoy a great career away from the Reds.