Caoimhin Kelleher is reportedly keen on playing more first-team football and is eager to secure a loan move away from Liverpool this January.
According to Irish outlet Irish Examiner, Caoimhin Kelleher has expressed his desire to play regular first-team football. The Republic of Ireland international is, therefore, looking to depart Liverpool on a loan deal when the January transfer window opens in a couple of months.
Caoimhin Kelleher joined Liverpool from Ringmahon Rangers in the summer of 2015 and slotted straight in the club’s youth setup. After four years playing for the junior sides, the 21-year-old finally made the step up to the first-team last season, when he was handed his first-team debut.
Promoted to become Liverpool’s primary choice in goal during their League Cup campaign last term, the young goalkeeper made four first-team appearances for the Reds. However, the report claims that Kelleher had the chance to leave Liverpool on loan last summer before Alisson Becker’s long-term calf injury scuppered such a possibility.
The same was the case this term as well, as Liverpool chased a goalkeeper to be a reliable backup to Alisson after Adrian made a horrendous start to the current campaign. With Alisson once again recovering from an injury, Kelleher saw an opportunity to secure a loan move collapse, amid interest from Dutch clubs.
Now, though, the 21-year-old goalkeeper has made an admission towards his ambition to play more first-team football. As quoted by Irish Examiner, Kelleher has iterated his desire, saying, I’d love to do that. I haven’t had the chance to do that yet. For me it’s the next step, to play regular football, so I’d relish the opportunity.”
At the same time, though, Kelleher chose to exercise caution as well, claiming that he will not accept the first offer that comes to him, as he would rather continue developing within the Liverpool first-team instead of experience a bad loan spell.
“It’s important to find the right club, the type of goalkeeper, the style of goalkeeper, maybe a team that plays more football would suit the way I play a bit more. You kind of look at stuff like that, all aspects, and where it is. I’m not bothered where it is once it’s the right team, the right style and the manager and everything. Once it’s all the right thing for me, that’s the club I’ll choose.”
Kelleher’s comments suggest he has a stable head on his shoulders and it will be interesting to see if the “right club” does emerge in his pursuit in the January transfer window. Goalkeeping moves in the winter are not commonplace so it remains to be seen if Kelleher gets the chance to secure a loan move, or if he has to stay at Liverpool and remain behind Alisson and Adrian in the pecking order.
