Dan Bardell shares transfer verdict on ‘brilliant’ Liverpool player who looks set to leave
Dan Bardell believes that Caoimhin Kelleher will leave Liverpool at the end of the season because he is a “brilliant goalkeeper” who deserves to play more regularly.
The 25-year-old spent another summer transfer window in limbo after the Reds rejected a late cash-plus-player approach from Nottingham Forest for his signature [The Athletic].
Giorgi Mamardashvili became the first signing of the Arne Slot era, the goalkeeper signing in a deal worth £25million plus add-ons, and will spend the 2024/25 campaign at Valencia before arriving at Anfield at the end of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Sky Sports pundit Bardell, said he understands why the Reds chose to keep Kelleher this summer but believes this will be his final year at Anfield.
“I think that told Kelleher everything he needed to know. He’s a very professional goalkeeper and he’ll still get plenty of games for Liverpool this season.
“Then I think with Mamardashvili arriving for Kelleher, the natural time for him to leave will be the summer. I know there was a lot of interest for him this summer – obviously Nottingham Forest made the offer including Matt Turner.
“But that wasn’t a satisfactory offer for Liverpool at all – that would have been a huge downgrade and I don’t think the money was right either. So I can understand why Liverpool have kept the player.
“We all know his ambitions. We all know what he wants to be and he’s a goalkeeper that will go with Liverpool’s best wishes next summer and he’ll go and be a number one because he’s a brilliant player.”
Caoimhin Kelleher set for Liverpool swansong
Given the injury record of Alisson, Kelleher will get plenty of chances to play under the Anfield lights for Liverpool this season in what is likely to be his final year with the club.
The Republic of Ireland international has been a terrific servant for the Reds and has shown the utmost professionalism. He has spent the past couple of years as deputy to Alisson, despite his desire to seek new pastures [BBC Sport].
With interest from Premier League sides, his affirmations have been confirmed that he can be an undisputed number one in the English top flight and, while he will sacrifice the chance to play European football, game time must be the priority at this stage of his career.
An argument could be made that he is learning his trade under the best goalkeeper in the world in his Brazilian teammate. However, his development will be best served playing week in and week out, albeit for a mid-table club.
Kelleher has rubbed shoulders with the best of the best and has been the Reds’ saviour on more than one occasion. His performance in the Carabao Cup triumph last season was heroic, denying Chelsea through a string of last-ditch saves with the score tied before Virgil van Dijk’s winner.
It makes no sense to keep hold of the Irishman once Mamardashvili arrives on English shores, and he will leave Liverpool as a cult hero among the supporters.
In other Liverpool news, a decision on Curtis Jones will be made for Liverpool v Nottingham Forest.
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