Republic of Ireland legend Shay Given has urged Caoimhin Kelleher to quit Liverpool – even if he has to force his departure from Anfield.
Given, the 48-year-old from County Donegal who made 134 appearances for his country over the course of two decades, believes Kelleher has what it takes to become a world-class keeper. But he reckons the 25-year-old must first step out of the shadow of Brazilian star Alisson Becker at Liverpool.
Kelleher is once again deputising for the Reds after Alisson suffered a hamstring injury – but Kop boss Arne Slot has confirmed that the Irishman will once again be back on the bench once his top choice is fit.
And 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.
