Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher ‘could look to leave in January’ after expressing desire to become a No 1, club legend John Barnes claims

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher could look to leave the club in January after expressing his desire to become a No 1, John Barnes believes.

Kelleher, a fully-fledged Republic of Ireland international but only a back-up at club level, openly admitted he has been keen to move on on several occasions. 

The 25-year-old has admirably played second fiddle to Alisson but will fall further down the pecking order when Giorgi Mamardashvili joins next season.

As a result, his long-term future looks certain to be away from Anfield – despite the Reds rejecting several recent bids, including one from Nottingham Forest.

Barnes, who played for Liverpool between 1987 and 1997, believes Kelleher is talented enough to become first-choice but may have to do so elsewhere.

Kelleher is a regular for the Republic of Ireland but remains a back-up at Anfield

‘What I find interesting is, when you’ve got Ali, who’s the best goalkeeper in the world and the number one, then you’ll have to do something extraordinary to take and hold his place,’ Barnes told Ladbrokes.

‘I don’t think Kelleher’s under any illusions that he was Liverpool’s No 1, but he would be thinking about the future, because Ali is not going to be there forever and it’s the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili that has made Kelleher question [his future].

‘Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of the best goalkeepers at the European Championships. He isn’t joining until next year, and there are parts of his game that he’ll be working on while he’s playing for Valencia this season.

‘Kelleher will feel like he is good enough to be the man to take Ali’s gloves when he departs. Perhaps that’s why he said what he said – it felt like a knee-jerk reaction. He will know there is a limited amount of games that he is likely to play.

‘Perhaps he will look at a move in January, but I can’t see a scenario where Liverpool allow that to happen. I think he stays, and I think he fights it out.’

Barnes believes Kelleher is talented enough to become a first-choice stopper elsewhere

Kelleher has openly admitted his desire to move on from Anfield on several occasions

Kelleher spoke about his frustrations after being made to stay during the summer. 

‘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,’ he said 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.

‘It’s been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. My ambition is clear that I think I’m good enough and I want to go out and prove it.’