Caoimhin Kelleher has confessed to facing a career crossroads at Liverpool this summer.
The Irish international, 25, has spent the last five years as Alisson Becker’s understudy. Despite not regularly featuring for the Reds, Jurgen Klopp regularly hailed his performances and he’s accumulated 12 caps for his country.
Nevertheless, Kelleher recognises that there is a limit to how long he can remain in the back-up role. He also acknowledges his chances of becoming first choice are slim given Alisson is tied down at Anfield till 2027.
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Speaking to The Athletic, Kelleher said: “It would be great if that happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years.”
It therefore might be curtains for him on Merseyside as he keeps aiming for advancement, reports the Express. He added: “I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool. It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved.
“I love the club, I love the fans and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No1.”
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Kelleher could have already said goodbye if it weren’t for Klopp’s influence. The German persuaded him to stick around and he ended up having the most fruitful season of his career last time out.
“I wouldn’t say I was pushing last summer but [I was] saying, ‘Look, I need to kick on for my career’,” he recalled. “Jurgen said, ‘If anything happens to Ali, we really need you to be there’. It worked out for the best this season because I played 26 games.”
Celtic have been linked with Kelleher as they seek a replacement for the retired Joe Hart in the upcoming transfer window. His Premier League performances have shown he’s up to the task.
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Kelleher stated he will hold talks with incoming boss Arne Slot before making any decisions, adding: “There will be some discussions over the coming weeks. The club was busy with the manager leaving and appointing a new one. With all the new staff arriving, those talks will happen.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly eyeing potential replacements. Names like Burnley’s James Trafford and Alex McCarthy, who recently helped Southampton secure promotion in the Championship play-off final, have been floated around.