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Jurgen Klopp's verdict on Caoimhin Kelleher says it all as Arne Slot losing 'world class' player

Caoimhin Kelleher and Jurgen Klopp
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Every Liverpool fan has expected Caoimhin Kelleher to move on at some point, but that doesn’t make his exit plea any less of a shock.

The Reds’ No.2 has made it clear he wants to leave the club, owing to the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili. With the Georgia international set to arrive at Anfield next summer, Kelleher looks almost certain to be pushed further down the pecking order.

Kelleher had his most productive season to date last term, making 26 appearances for Liverpool amid Alisson Becker’s injury problems. With Mamardashvili being eyed up for the future though, it seems the Irish international’s dreams of succeeding his Brazilian teammate will not be realized.

“I've made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,” Kelleher told a press conference while on international duty. The club's made that decision to get another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they've made a decision to go in a different direction.”

Kelleher’s decision is not unexpected by any stretch of the imagination. Given the quality he has shown when called upon by Liverpool, it always seemed a foregone conclusion that he would move on for regular game time at some point.

Nevertheless, when his departure is confirmed, it will be a big blow for Liverpool. Following the exits of a number of youngsters during the summer, Kelleher’s desire to leave feels like the most significant decision yet for the new regime at Anfield.

After all, it wasn’t that long ago that the 25-year-old was leaving Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville in awe of a “world class” performance in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. In fact, it was the second time he had stepped up to the occasion at Wembley.

Caoimhin Kelleher saves Conor Gallagher's shot in the Carabao Cup final
Caoimhin Kelleher saves Conor Gallagher's shot in the Carabao Cup final -Credit:Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Having such a quality option at backup cannot be underestimated. Such was Jurgen Klopp’s opinion of Kelleher that he put Liverpool’s revival last season down to the Irishman.

“If you would have asked me before the season, I think I was never shy of praising Caoimh,” Klopp said back in April. “You can take Ali out for a long spell, it would have been a problem not because of Caoimh but because he never had to play that many games, so you never know how that will look. Absolutely outstanding season; without Caoimhin Kelleher, no chance to be in the position we are.”

With Kelleher making his feelings clear though, it seems the goalkeeping department at Anfield is set for a reshuffle. Mamardashvili is clearly arriving with a view to becoming No.1 at some point, which would suggest Alisson may not be too far behind his deputy.

Kelleher’s departure then is set to represent the first major changing of the guard for Arne Slot’s Liverpool. With some big names currently running down their contracts, it may not be the only one next summer.