Nottingham Forest eye summer deal for Liverpool stand-in hero

Liverpool are braced for a fight to keep goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher next summer

Caoimhin Kelleher has been in sensational form, deputing for injured Liverpool number 1 Alisson Becker for the past seven games. His stellar performances have not gone unnoticed and Nottingham Forest are eyeing him ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window.

Kelleher was called “Liverpool’s Superman” by Sky Sports after his stunning performance in the 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Carabao Cup finals. He flew to their rescue when called upon. The Irish international denied Cole Palmer with a world-class save from point-blank range and was brilliantly positioned for Christopher Nkunku’s chance in injury time, as he was throughout. A performance for the ages as he once again rose to the occasion.

However, manager Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of the fact that the Republic of Ireland international was ready to leave last summer after becoming frustrated with being Alisson’s understudy. Kelleher has a tough decision to make, as Alisson is going nowhere. At 24, he has what it takes to be a starter for several Premier League clubs including Liverpool, only if the Reds already did not have the best in the business at their disposal.

As per talkSPORT, Celtic are targeting Kelleher as a potential Joe Hart replacement, and he will also be on Nottingham Forest’s radar. Whether he will join former Reds Neco Williams, Divock Origi and Taiwo Awoniyi remains to be seen. Curiously, Chelsea too appear to be touted as a potential destination. But thrn the Blues were privy to being silenced by Kelleher at Wembley twice in three years and will know how good he is.

Liverpool played against Manchester City on Sunday, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw, both sides performing exceptionally. Phil Foden would hit the target on that occasion, with Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher making what looked like a fairly routine save, but on second viewing, you could see just how good that piece of goalkeeping actually was.

Liverpool boss showed his admiration for the Irish international earlier this season as he said, “I can’t see him leaving.” But with a new manager set to come in, it remains to be seen if Kelleher will be in his plans. To lose such an understudy would be a massive blow but then we cannot fault the player either should he seek regular playtime.

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Kelleher, like any other sportsman of his calibre, has personal ambitions. He cannot just play in Alisson’s shadow forever. He would eventually want to be the prime goalkeeper of a big, reputed club, as he knows he has potential in him.