Caoimhin Kelleher shares his honest thoughts about his failed Liverpool exit in the summer transfer window

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Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher remained at the club this season despite being strongly linked with an exit.

Kelleher has been backed to succeed at Liverpool amid the injury to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Liverpool will be glad they kept Kelleher for the new season, with the Republic of Ireland international now set to be needed for quite some time.

Arne Slot is certain to rely heavily on Kelleher in the weeks to come, and the deputy is certainly more than capable of stepping up from his usual number-two role.

But it could be his final season at Anfield, with the 25-year-old clearly keen to establish himself as a first-choice.

Caoimhin Kelleher shares his thoughts on failed Liverpool exit

That won’t happen at Liverpool if Alisson remains at the club, with Kelleher set to be pushed further down the pecking order upon the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

As per The Times, the Ireland star has now shared his thoughts on staying with the Reds beyond the summer, when the number of clubs available to sign him declined after Liverpool wanted more than £20million for his services.

“I think that’s a good point,” said Kelleher. “It does work both ways. I played so many times last season and if you do well your valuation goes up. Obviously the club is going to want to get a good profit.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s most expensive/record transfer sales

“There was some interest. It’s normal that, when you play for a club like Liverpool – and I obviously had a long spell in goal last season and thought I did quite well.

“I spoke with the manager about the situation, but it was never going to change because the fact is that I am up against Alisson and he’s one of the best in the world. So he’s always going to be No 1 and he’s always going to play.

“There were other factors, like negotiations with clubs as well as Liverpool needing to be happy. At the end of the day, it just didn’t materialise and I didn’t get a move.

“But it’s not the worst thing in the world to stay at a club like Liverpool. You get opportunities to play because we’re in so many competitions as well. There are so many games that you are going to play. This isn’t the end of the world.”

Arne Slot needs to let Caoimhin Kelleher leave Liverpool

For the time being, Kelleher will be one of the most crucial Liverpool players, with Alisson set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Interestingly, the Reds have another capable goalkeeper in Vitezslav Jaros waiting in the ranks, with the shot-stopped having impressed recently against Crystal Palace.

But Slot will very likely opt for Kelleher amid Alisson’s absence, with the manager fortunate to be able to call upon such a talented deputy.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Alisson Becker from his wife to net worth

Kelleher does, however, need to force through an exit next summer, with the Ireland star deserving of a number one role.

That will only happen away from Anfield, with the goalkeeper’s international future potentially set to take a hit should he continue warming the bench at club level.

It will be a very sad day when the long-serving shot-stopper does move on, but it is the only sensible option for Kelleher at this crucial stage of his career.