Paul Robinson

Sun 16 February 2025 8:00, UK

Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is seen as a major upgrade on Caoimhin Kelleher as Newcastle United considers potential long-term options to replace Nick Pope.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed that Liverpool signed Marmadashvili because “they want to play a certain way.”

The former England international believes that Eddie Howe could view Kelleher as a better option, which might lead him to the Magpies.

Marmadashvili will join the Reds ahead of next season to provide competition for Alisson Becker, which could lead to less game time for Kelleher at the same time.

Football Insider revealed that Kelleher is going to push for a Liverpool exit in search of first-team football next season.

It will cost any potential suitors £25-30million as Football Insider revealed, with the goalkeeper having proven himself capable of playing at the highest level during his time at Liverpool.

Newcastle interested in Liverpool No2 Caoimhin Kelleher

Football Insider revealed that the Magpies are eyeing a summer move for Kelleher, who will have just 12 months left on his Anfield contract in the summer.

It is believed that the 26-year-old doesn’t want to sign a contract extension, but Newcastle will face competition in landing his signatures.

Overseas clubs are also monitoring Kelleher’s situation, while Chelsea are also considering a move for the Ireland international to improve their goalkeeping options.

“Nick Pope now, he’s crept up, he’s 32,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“His contract expires at the end of next season but I don’t think Kelleher is an improvement on Nick Pope.

Newcastle work on signing Nick Pope replacement

“Pope is a top-class goalkeeper, you know what you’re going to get from him.

“There’s been criticism of him, labelled at him with his feet and being able to play out from the back, Newcastle are not heavily reliant on that.

“The way that they play, they mix it up, the distribution from the back is very different, so with Nick Pope, they’ve got a top-class goalkeeper.

“Kelleher needs to go somewhere now and be a number one, if he’s going to go to Newcastle now, listen, it’s personal opinion, it’s personal choice.

“If Eddie Howe thinks Kelleher’s a better goalkeeper than Nick Pope, then yeah, he’s a great option. But does he play out from the back? Does he play the same way as what managers want to do? No, which is why Liverpool have not kept him.

“That’s why they’ve gone for Marmadashvili, because they want to play a certain way and with a goalkeeper at the back, plays with his feet.”

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