Caoimhin Kelleher transfer reality a step nearer as Liverpool avoid 'silly' mistake

The most selected goalkeeper in a year where Liverpool are chasing the Premier League crown with mouthwatering Anfield clashes against Real Madrid and Manchester City on the horizon, this is exactly how Caoimhin Kelleher would have imagined his career progressing while coming up through ranks at the Academy. Appearances, though, can be deceptive.

And although Kelleher remains the man in possession of the gloves under new head coach Arne Slot, few would forgive the Irishman having mixed emotions when celebrating his 26th birthday on Saturday.

In terms of the here and now, it couldn't be going much better. Kelleher has deservedly earned plaudits for his Liverpool performances this campaign with a clutch of timely saves key to the Reds standing top of the table in both the Premier League and new-look Champions League.

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Factor in having become the Republic of Ireland's first-choice keeper - saving a penalty late on to earn a UEFA Nations League win over Finland last week - and Kelleher is now much more than the "best number two in the world" moniker he was once affectionally afforded by former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. He is a number one.

The remaining hurdle at Liverpool, however, is obvious. And it once again started to home into view this week with Alisson Becker, having been absent for six weeks with a hamstring issue, ramping up his rehabilitation by returning to the training field.

The Brazilian isn't ready quite yet, and could remain sidelined for the next week, leaving Kelleher to feature against Real Madrid and, as he did last term, City. But Slot has already stated when Alisson is back fully fit, he will be restored to the starting line-up as befits a goalkeeper widely regarded as the best in the world.

The injury complaints that have struck Alisson for much of the calendar year mean Kelleher, with 24 starts, is the most featured goalkeeper for Liverpool during 2024, his team-mate having made 22 starts. Vitezslav Jaros, having made his senior breakthrough this season, has one.

With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving next summer, Liverpool will potentially have four international goalkeepers on the books, a realistically untenable situation for a position in which rotation is light. Even having three, as the Reds do at the moment, is unusual.

Kelleher's lengthy taste of first-team football last season whetted his appetite but clearly not those of potential suitors, with Nottingham Forest offering a derisory £7million plus Matt Turner for his services during the summer. His current run of form, though, has banished any lingering doubts over his ability at the top level.

Kelleher needs regular minutes. While only six months younger than Aaron Ramsdale, he has played almost 200 club games fewer than the Southampton goalkeeper.

It's therefore extremely unlikely Kelleher will want to play second fiddle again next season. But should he push for a new challenge, Liverpool's desire to gain top dollar for the Irishman could be stymied but the fact he would be entering the last 12 months of his contract. Nevertheless, his stock at present has never been higher.

There will be another chance to prove that at Southampton on Sunday where Liverpool will look to maintain their firm grip on the Premier League summit. Kelleher will hope for better fortune than on his last visit to St Mary's when he shipped four goals in a daft 4-4 draw on the final day of the 2022/23 season with the hosts having already been relegated.

Southampton bounced straight back up but are once again struggling at the foot of the table. However, Kelleher is adamant Liverpool won't underestimate Russell Martin's side.

"We as players and the staff as well know, we're not silly," he says. "We know how good they are and the quality that these players have. I think sometimes the results don't reflect the quality that's in the actual team.

"We're not going to take anything for granted. I know maybe the outside is already making some noise about us being so far ahead in the league now, but we don't really think about that. We know we can't take our foot off the gas for one second because we'll get punished."

Kelleher, speaking to liverpoolf.com, adds: "There's obviously I think a big hunger in us to win more trophies and really compete at the highest level. A lot of that squad has departed now so there's not too many of the squad in there who have tasted Premier League or Champions League success. There's a lot of hunger in this new squad to achieve those kind of things."