Liverpool are bracing themselves for interest in back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher at the end of the season.
Kelleher has been ready to take on a No.1 spot for a while now. But with Alisson Becker still one of the very best around, that isn’t going to happen at Liverpool.
As a result, The Athletic report that the Reds are expecting the 24-year-old to ‘attract interest’ from other clubs this summer.
With third-choice ‘keeper Adrian also out of contract, it’s claimed that Liverpool may need to sign someone to replace the duo.
Plenty of work to do for Liverpool
Obviously, the main area of Liverpool’s focus this summer should be on boosting their midfield. That has been obvious for months now.
But with all the focus on the middle of the pitch, it may have been missed by some that attention is needed elsewhere, too.
Recently, the necessity of upgrading the options in central defence has become clear. Although not supremely urgent, it definitively needs doing over the coming windows.
And then there’s the goalkeeper situation. Unfortunately, it looks clear that Liverpool are going to have to do business in one of the hardest positions to recruit – back-up goalie.
Since Adrian arrived and Kelleher emerged in 2019, this has been plain sailing for the Reds. For all his critics Adrian has had a fine Liverpool career and Kelleher has developed into one of the best back-ups in the business.
But now they’re in a position where they’ll likely have to replace both in one go.
Youngsters like Marcelo Pitaluga and Harvey Davies aren’t yet ready to make the step up. Therefore, it’s imperative that Jurgen Klopp doesn’t leave himself short, should Kelleher leave.
It can be a tricky balance to find a No.2 between the sticks. You want a player good enough to step in, but not one who’s going to be upset at a lack of games. The ‘outstanding’ Kelleher was the perfect man for the job as he grew into his talents. It’s unlikely that Liverpool will be able to find a player as good as him on the cheap. But they’re going to have to try.