Shay Given has urged his compatriot and Liverpool backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to leave the club on loan to seek regular game-time.
Caoimhin Kelleher is yet to become a very trusted name in the Liverpool squad. However, the fans have welcomed his addition since it provided them with a change from someone like Adrian protecting the goal. The former West Ham United goalkeeper has often been dreadful in the absence of Alisson Becker, while Kelleher has been consistent with his displays.
The 23-year-old has been regularly deployed as a backup to the Brazilian. He has played a part in five games across all competition this season for the Reds. However, with Alisson in no real hurry to give up his position just yet, Kelleher’s long-term future is as a backup rather than someone who could challenge for the no.1 spot.
Last January, there were whispers of a loan move away from Liverpool in January, but it all came to naught in the end. While Jurgen Klopp is completely satisfied with Kelleher’s integration in his team, he had persuaded the Irish goalkeeper to sign a new long term deal until 2026 with the club in the previous summer.
However, there remains a chance that the 23-year-old leaves Liverpool on loan at last, as he will not get regular minutes under current circumstances. The Reds have subsequently looked at alternate options, such as Kelleher’s compatriot Gavin Bazunu, who currently plays for League One side Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City.
The feeling that Kelleher should leave the club on a temporary move and play regularly has now been echoed by former Ireland and Manchester City goalkeeping ace Shay Given. As quoted by Sunday World, Given has said that if Kelleher wants to become Ireland’s no.1 ahead of Bazunu, he needs to play regularly away from Liverpool.
Given said, “He’s in a bit of a predicament. He’s 23-years old; I’m trying to bring myself back to when I was that age, and I’m not sure how many games I would have played, but I think he has only played ten or 11 games. He’s not a kid anymore; 23 is an age where I think he should be playing regular first-team football.”
“The biggest problem he has is that Alisson is ahead of him. Alisson is in the prime of his life and could be for the next five or six years. Does Kelleher sit there and be happy as a number two? They’ve got Adrian, who can sit on the bench and back (Alisson) up. Even from a Liverpool point of view, they need to get him out playing, get him that experience, then bring him back and get him challenging Alisson.”
“January is a time to do that, I’d be on to my agent and manager to get me playing games. It’s not just at Liverpool, he’s got Bazunu at Ireland as well. He is only 19-years old and has played 50 club games, Kelleher has played around ten.”
Given’s comments do make sense, as Bazunu could have a significant advantage over Kelleher in the race to become Ireland’s no. 1 as he has garnered more first-team experience. However, it remains to be seen Kelleher will seek a January loan exit from Liverpool.
