Caoimhin Kelleher tipped to leave Liverpool after Mamardashvili news – expert
Caoimhin Kelleher’s future at Liverpool is up in the air as they close in on the signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who has over 400 Premier League appearances to his name, described the 23-year-old as “the hottest prospect in Europe” after his displays at Euro 2024.
He went on to claim Liverpool were landing a “very shrewd signing” by beating the likes of Real Madrid to his signature.
Sources say the Reds will sign Mamardashvili and send him out on loan for the coming season, with the long-term plan for him to be successor of Alisson at Anfield.
As a result, the deal has raised questions over Kelleher’s long-term future amid speculation that he could be moved on permanently this summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher could be forced out of Liverpool by Giorgi Mamardashvili deal
Football Insider revealed in July that Liverpool were prepared to accept “big” offers for the Republic of Ireland international, but were wary of being caught short in the goalkeeping department.
Kelleher featured 26 times last season during Alisson’s absence, proving himself as a more than good enough option to play regularly in the Premier League.
Now, Robinson insists the arrival of Mamardashvili, with talks believed to be at an advanced stage, could be the final nail in the coffin for Kelleher’s long-term future at Anfield.
“Alisson is 31 years old and struggled with injuries last season,” he told Football Insider.
“But I don’t think it’ll affect Alisson so much, I think it’s more Kelleher who they’ll be looking at. Any money they’ll get from his potential sale is pure profit under PSR rules.
“Now at 25 years old, he’s only played a handful of games for Liverpool in the Premier League so he’ll be looking at this and thinking his chances are going to be limited.
“He could move on in search of regular football.
“Mamardashvili is a brilliant goalkeeper. He’s the hottest prospect in Europe as far as goalkeepers go, and he’s only 23.
“He was, in my opinion, the La Liga goalkeeper of the season last year and we saw what he could do at the Euros with Georgia.
“I’m surprised that Liverpool are signing him and sending him out on loan because of where he is in his career. He was linked with the likes of Real Madrid.
“There’s a little bit of uncertainty there, but if Liverpool can pull off a deal like that then it’s a very shrewd signing for them.
“They’re getting a very good young goalkeeper and he will be the natural successor to Alisson. It just throws questions about Kelleher’s future wide open.”
In other news, Virgil van Dijk responds to Liverpool talks in a new update.
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