Alisson returned to Liverpool‘s starting XI on Sunday after missing eight Premier League matches with a hamstring injury that threatened to derail his season – but the blessing in disguise was the form of No 2 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Irishman was subject to strong interest from Nottingham Forest in the last days of the January transfer window but Liverpool turned down the relegation-threatened club’s approaches. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to re-explore signing Kelleher, though.
Santo, a former goalkeeper himself, is a huge fan of Kelleher, though his stellar performances over the last two months have done Liverpool’s bargaining position no harm this summer, with his price-tag only going in one direction.
Liverpool would likely not stand in Kelleher’s way if he did want to leave the club in search of a No 1 jersey elsewhere, though, with Forest just one of many clubs interested in securing his services. Celtic are very keen but would almost certainly be priced out of a move.
It means the Reds will likely be in the market for a No 2 goalkeeper this summer, with several on-loan youngsters not ready to step up to the position which has seen Kelleher play 26 times this season.
Caoimhin Kelleher has certainly increased his transfer value ahead of a possible summer move
The Irishman makes a save during last week’s defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League
Jurgen Klopp has been pleased with Kelleher as he deputised for the injured Alisson Becker
They have retained an interest in Sunderland shot-stopper Anthony Patterson, according to sources, which was first revealed by Liverpool Confidential in January.
The 23-year-old has also represented England at youth level and has been a mainstay for the Black Cats this term.
It is also understood that several Premier League clubs have been scouting Wigan’s young keeper Sam Tickle, who has impressed for Shaun Maloney’s League One side this season and earned himself an England Under 21 call-up.
Liverpool’s third-choice keeper Adrian, now 37, is a well-liked and influential talker in the but the Spaniard is out of contract in the summer and it seems unlikely he will be offered a new deal, meaning the Reds could target an experienced deputy if Kelleher was to leave.
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