‘I’ve done my years as a No 2’ – Caoimhín Kelleher hints at Liverpool exit to become first choice goalkeeper

A hamstring injury for Reds number one Alisson earlier this year opened the door for Kelleher to enjoy his most consistent run of starts since arriving at Anfield, making 26 appearances in all competitions last term, more than his previous four seasons combined.

The 25-year-old also starred in Liverpool’s League Cup triumph over Chelsea last February and is set to add to his 12 Ireland caps next month against Hungary and Portugal, with Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu out injured until 2025.

But with three years remaining on Alisson’s contract with Liverpool, Kelleher admits the time has come for him to step up and become a first choice ‘keeper. The Corkman’s current deal expires in 2026 but talks over his future on Merseyside will take place in the coming weeks.

“It would be great if that (being first choice) happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years,” said Kelleher, in an interview with The Athletic.

“I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool. It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved. Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No 1.

“I wouldn’t say I was pushing (to leave) last summer but saying, ‘Look, I need to kick on for my career’. Jurgen (Klopp) said, ‘If anything happens to Ali, we really need you to be there’. It worked out for the best this season because I played 26 games.

“There will be some discussions over the coming weeks. The club was busy with the manager leaving and appointing a new one. With all the new staff arriving, those talks will happen.

“I love being at Liverpool and hopefully there’s more to come there. But I feel like I’ve done my years as a No 2. The ambition now is to be a No 1. I am ready and capable.”

Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 29th May

Having enjoyed a busy run of starts this season, 10 of which came in the Premier League as the Reds finished the campaign in third, Kelleher says it was satisfying to prove to people that he’s capable of playing at an elite level regularly.

“I thrived on it. I’d been waiting for a moment like that. It was a massive opportunity for me to be Liverpool’s No 1 for that long,” said Kelleher, who signed for the Anfield club’s academy from Ringmahon Rangers in 2015.

“It was my time to show the level I believe I can perform at and the level people at the club think I’m able to play at. I proved that I’m good enough to play in the Premier League. I’m comfortable there. I’ve always had that belief in myself. Proving it to people was satisfying.”

With Kelleher also in line to start Ireland’s Nations League campaign later this year, which begins at home to England in September, he says his dream is to reach major tournaments with the national side.

“My ambition is to be Ireland’s No 1. I want to help take us to major tournaments. That’s a big objective of mine, but to really stake my claim I need to be playing week in and week out,” he added, having made his senior debut under Stephen Kenny in 2021 but been number two for the last two qualifying campaigns.

With interim head coach John O’Shea announcing his 26-man squad yesterday, Kelleher and his Irish teammates will link up in Dublin tomorrow ahead of Tuesday’s Lansdowne Road friendly against Hungary. They then travel to Aveiro to face Portugal on June 11, with both opponents bound for Euro 2024 next month.