Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool arrives for the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield(Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has hinted that he wants to see Caoimhin Kelleher leave Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window opening. The 26-year-old has made 12 appearances for the Reds so far this season, but returned to the bench earlier this month following Alisson Becker’s return from a hamstring injury.
The goalkeeper has made no secret of his desire to move on in order to be first-choice elsewhere, well aware of his place in the Anfield pecking order. Arne Slot has admitted that Alisson is the undisputed number one when available.
However, Kelleher saw a summer exit fail to materialise, while Nottingham Forest have had bids rejected for his services in the last two transfer windows after falling below Liverpool’s asking price.
The Reds have already agreed a £29m deal to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia next summer, with it presumed that Kelleher, who has established himself as first-choice for Ireland over the last year, will eventually get his wish to move on as a result.
And after being asked about the playing situation of both the goalkeeper and Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, Hallgrimsson admitted he wants to see both Ireland stars play more at club-level as he hinted that Kelleher might have to leave Anfield.
“We would like our players to play,” he said, as quoted by the Irish Mirror. “I will answer this question the same way whoever it is; as a national team coach, you would always like to see your players playing.
“Whether it’s Evan or someone else. It’s our preference. We would like our players to play. The same with Caoimhin.
“We don’t know if he’s going to play games for Liverpool even though he’s done brilliantly. Should he go and try to play somewhere else?
“It applies to everyone. For a national team coach, of course you would like your players to be playing all the time.”
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However, Hallgrimsson admitted that the ideal solution varies from player to player when focusing on the 20-year-old Ferguson’s lack of game-time at Brighton.
“It depends on so many things,” he said. “Is he in a good mind? Is he being developed at the club?
“He’s playing now with good players playing really good football. Is it more beneficial to be in that environment than maybe going somewhere lower quality and playing some matches?