Kelleher 'could look at January move' as Liverpool star makes wishes clear

Liverpool's back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher could be on the move in January, according to Reds icon John Barnes.

Long used as an incredibly capable deputy during cup competitions - with a notable knack for penalty shootouts - Irish goalkeeper Kelleher proved to be a valuable asset at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp and could be under new man Arne Slot.

However, one of the best in the world between the sticks, Alisson, is never going to be ousted, and with the club completing the signing of another promising shot-stopper, Giorgi Mamardashvili - who will join the club next year - Kelleher's future on Merseyside is looking bleak and saw him the subject of transfer offers this summer.

Barnes believes Kelleher is indeed talented enough to claim the number one spot once Alisson's tenure ends, but he may see it fit to leave the club soon - despite maybe being gifted a rare league start this weekend against Bournemouth.

The Irish shot-stopper opened up about his frustrations after no deal was done during this summer window, despite reported offers having come in for the 25-year-old.

"I've made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out," Kelleher revealed whilst on international duty.

"The club's made that decision to get another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they've made a decision to go in a different direction.

"It's been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. My ambition is clear that I think I'm good enough and I want to go out and prove it."

Barnes has admitted that he feels slightly sorry for the often impressive Kelleher, who he's tipped to either stay at Anfield and fight for his position as number one even once Mamardashvili arrives, or look to leave the club as soon as possible.

"What I find interesting is, when you've got Ali, who’s the best goalkeeper in the world and the number one, then you'll have to do something extraordinary to take and hold his place," Barnes told Ladbrokes, the official betting partner of Liverpool FC.

"I don't think Kelleher’s under any illusions that he was Liverpool's number one, but he would be thinking about the future, because Ali is not going to be there forever and it’s the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili that has made Kelleher question that (his Anfield future).

"Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of the best goalkeepers at the European Championships. He isn’t joining until next year, and there are parts of his game that he’ll be working on while he’s playing for Valencia this season.

"Kelleher will feel like he is good enough to be the man to take Ali’s gloves when he departs. Perhaps that’s why he said what he said - it felt like a knee-jerk reaction. Kelleher will know there is a limited amount of games that he is likely to play with Ali in the squad.

"Perhaps he will look at a move in January, but I can’t see a scenario where Liverpool allow that to happen. I think he stays, and I think he fights it out."