Caoimhin Kelleher admitting he is ‘unsure’ of his future prospects ahead of the summer transfer window, a deal involving Man City could force his hand.
Speaking during his tenure with the Republic of Ireland, Kelleher was asked about his future after establishing himself as Alisson’s replacement at Liverpool.
“I’m not sure what’s going on yet,” the goalkeeper told reporters on Monday, as reported by BBC Sport.
“I’m still finishing this season and then we’ll have conversations after that to see what happens.
“I’m not sure yet – obviously I have to play those few games and see what happens with those and maybe decide after that.”
Kelleher is set to start his third consecutive game of the month on Saturday night as Ireland host Scotland in the UEFA Nations League, benefiting from an injury to Gavin Bazunu.
Bazunu has often been favored as a No.1 by manager Stephen Kenny, with consistency in minutes throughout the campaign – despite being on loan with League One side Portsmouth – giving the 20-year-old the edge.
His performances at Portsmouth have alerted another south coast club, with Southampton set to seal £10m with Man City, according to The Athletic.
This could put Bazunu in an even better position when it comes to his country’s starting point, putting further pressure on Kelleher at Liverpool.
In March, Jurgen Klopp admitted there could come a time when a player of Kelleher’s ability and potential might need to leave Anfield to take on a first-choice role elsewhere – albeit on loan.
“Maybe there is a time when he has to go on loan. I don’t know if it will be next year or maybe a year later,” the manager said.
“Marcello [Pitaluga] is already on the right track, we really have to judge this situation, Adrian is still there and doing an incredible job.
“We’ll see, but you need the quality we have here, and if we get weaker if he wants to go somewhere then we don’t have the chance to do that.
“If we can keep the quality then we could talk, but it’s difficult.”
Ahead of these ‘conversations’ between Kelleher and Liverpool, then, a lot for the latter may hinge on whether Klopp and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg think 19-year-old Brazilian striker Marcelo Pitaluga is ready to go. to intervene.
That seems unlikely at this stage, as does a campaign with Adrian back as No.2, which presents the possibility of potentially selling Kelleher and bringing in another goalkeeper this summer.
Everything is speculative at the moment, but Bazunu’s impending move to St Mary’s will only increase unease over Kelleher’s position for club and country.