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Caoimhin Kelleher showed true colors after Man Utd transfer question cropped up

Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
-Credit: (Image: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)


Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has had plenty of experience of playing at Wembley. In 2022, he scored the decisive penalty kick to beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup and won the same competition with the Reds two years later.

Today, he will return to the famous stadium as Ireland takes on England in the UEFA Nations League. But having made it clear in the summer that he wants to be a number one somewhere, Kelleher's Liverpool future is far from confirmed.

The Reds have signed Giorgi Mamardashvili ahead of next summer's transfer window and Viteszlav Jaros has impressed when he has been called upon this season. Then, of course, Alisson Becker is under contract until 2027 and is the world's number one when fit.

So while Kelleher continues to play exceptionally well for Liverpool, that is no guarantee of where his long-term future lies. Under contract for another 18 months or so, a big decision awaits.

Kelleher has already made one good decision in terms of his career, though. When he joined Liverpool in 2015, he could have moved to a couple of other Premier League clubs including Manchester United.

"There was just something about him," Ringmahon club secretary Sean Fitzgerald told the Daily Mirror in 2022. "There were clubs in England showing interest from him at U16s.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in action
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in action -Credit:Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

"Manchester United were on to us, then Aston Villa, but he had his heart set on Liverpool… they're the biggest club in the world, so you have to go for them. I say that because I’m a Liverpool fan!

"It’s unbelievable to see. All the kids [are inspired], when we put stuff on social media and they hear his name. Especially back in Cork, everyone mentions Kelleher and Ringmahon Rangers [together]."

Liverpool.com says: Kelleher got the move right when he came to Merseyside and has excelled when given the chance. It's understandable that he wants to play more regularly, though. Leaving next summer when Mamardashvili comes in might make sense, though he will need to pick his next club just as well as he enters what could be his peak years.

Kelleher is more than good enough to be playing Champions League soccer and he shouldn't be dropping too far down in terms of the stature of his next team. He could get regular action for most Premier League sides.