Republic of Ireland legend Shay Given has urged Caoimhin Kelleher to leave Liverpool – even if it means forcing a move away from Anfield.
Given, who earned 134 caps for his country over a two-decade international career, believes that Kelleher possesses the qualities needed to become a world-class goalkeeper.
However, he contends that the 25-year-old must first escape the shadow of Liverpool’s Brazilian star, Alisson Becker, to fulfill his potential.
Caoimhin Kelleher is currently deputising for Liverpool following Alisson’s hamstring injury, offering the Irishman a rare opportunity between the sticks.
Despite this, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made it clear that once Alisson recovers, Kelleher will return to his role on the bench.
Speaking to the Mirror, Given said: “Caoimhin played 26 games last season and in that time he showed that he has the talent to be a No 1 in the Premier League.
“But he turns 26 later this month and, if I am brutally honest, he needs to get away from Liverpool if he wants that to happen.
“Kelleher would have been disappointed to hear Slot state publicly that Alisson will always be his first choice keeper because everyone wants to go into training every day with the belief that they are fighting for a place in the team.
“Every professional footballer has to have that hope that if they get a place in the team and perform well then they will keep the jersey. Caoimhin hasn’t got that. It has been made clear to him that he will always be behind Alisson – and let’s be honest he is up against a guy who is one of the best in the world.
“Caoimhin turns 26 later this month. He’s done his time at Liverpool. That’s no disrespect to a brilliant club but they are now starting to think that they can’t hold Kelleher back for much longer because he is a quality player.
“Maybe Caoimhin has been too nice about it up to now because sometimes you do have to force the issue. That isn’t a nice situation. He has been very loyal to Liverpool and he won’t want to upset the fans.
“But at the same time, you only have one career, one life and one opportunity to make the most of what you’ve got. Ten years down the road he could be 36 and people are talking about him as being over the hill.”
Read more: Virgil van Dijk admits it was “very scary” to see Hungary assistant coach Adam Szalai collapse
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is ‘not world class’ – Ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney
Darwin Nunez breaks silence following Uruguay’s dramatic 3-2 win over Colombia
