Liverpool give their blessing for ‘perfect’ player to leave Anfield next summer as decision finally reached

Liverpool are preparing to let a player leave Anfield next summer after five successful seasons with the club.

Life has started positively for Arne Slot at Liverpool. Since the Dutch manager arrived from Feyenoord in July, replacing Jurgen Klopp, his team has won nine out of ten matches, with their only loss coming against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 home defeat on September 14.

One of the main challenges he faced since arriving on Merseyside was the failure to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish international turned down a move to Liverpool, choosing to remain with the Basque club.

As a result, Ryan Gravenberch has taken on the ‘six role’ and has impressed fans so far. While that issue has been resolved, a significant problem arose in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on October 5. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson injured his hamstring while clearing a ball at Selhurst Park.

He was replaced by third-choice goalkeeper Vítězslav Jaroš, as backup Caoimhín Kelleher was unavailable due to illness.

Alisson missed the recent international break and may also miss Liverpool’s home match against Chelsea this Sunday.

Kelleher was the subject of transfer speculation during the summer window, with Nottingham Forest submitting a bid that Liverpool rejected. Kelleher is likely to start against Chelsea on Sunday, but his long-term future might be elsewhere.

According to Football Insider, the 25-year-old will be allowed to leave Liverpool this summer. He has made 49 appearances for the club and was instrumental in their 2022 Carabao Cup win against Chelsea.

In that final, Kelleher delivered a standout performance and scored a penalty in the shootout, helping Liverpool secure the trophy at Wembley.

Despite showing clear potential, his path to becoming the first-choice goalkeeper at Liverpool seems blocked.

Liverpool recently confirmed that Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili will join the club on July 1, 2025, after being loaned back to Valencia for the 2024/25 season.

It is likely that Mamardashvili will succeed Alisson. Therefore, if Kelleher’s ambition is to be a first-choice goalkeeper, it may have to be at a different club.

Kelleher is under contract with Liverpool until 2026 but has expressed his desire to become a number one.

“It would be great if that [becoming number one] happened at Liverpool, but I’m not naive,” he told The Athletic in May 2024.

“I know that Ali [Alisson] has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years.”

“I love being at Liverpool, and hopefully, there’s more to come there,” he added.

“But I feel like I’ve done my time as a No. 2. The goal now is to be a No. 1. I am ready and capable.”

Although Kelleher aims to become a first-choice goalkeeper, he received praise earlier this year from former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman for his ability as a backup.

“It’s the mark of an excellent number two that Caoimhín Kelleher can come in and play his game right away,” Seaman said, as quoted by the Irish Examiner.

“He doesn’t need time to settle in or adjust — he’s making important saves regularly. He’s the ideal number two.”