Former Reds defender Jason McAteer advised Caoimhin Kelleher that he “got to get out” of Liverpool in order to advance his international career.
And the former Ireland and Liverpool player thinks Kelleher might look back on his career with a great deal of sorrow if he stays at Anfield as Alisson Becker’s backup in goal.
Kelleher has played just 21 times since making his debut four years ago this month in a League Cup victory against MK Dons. He only made one Premier League game last season, on the penultimate day of the season at Southampton. The League Cup final shootout triumph against Chelsea in February 2022 at Wembley was the pinnacle of Kelleher’s time with the Reds, but Alisson’s performances have largely limited his opportunities.
 He has contributed, McAteer remarked in a statement to Boyle Sports. He had several fantastic moments with the team, and he was the hero in the League Cup final. But playing football is what football is all about to me.
You shouldn’t spend your entire career sitting on the sidelines and then wish you could start playing when you were older. It is now his turn.
“He is seated behind perhaps the world’s top goalkeeper. He won’t play, that much is clear. He will likely steal an old game in the League Cup and possibly the Europa League, but that isn’t enough football.
Additionally, it is destructive to his international career and harmful in general. He is lacking. In the future, he will reflect and say, “I missed out on these years.”
“It’s time to move on; it’s time for him to leave. I’m not sure if they were unable to replace him, and for Liverpool, what would a No.2 have.
“However, Caoimhin must be egotistical and believe that ‘it’s just not my time here to perform. He can easily transfer to another Premier League team. He would undoubtedly earn a spot on Ireland’s first team by playing consistently.
You can’t criticize [Ireland manager] Stephen Kenny right now for selecting a player who plays every single week. Despite playing for one of the top clubs in the world and behind the best goalkeeper in the world, Caoimhin is still not a football player.
“You don’t even participate in reserve team; instead, you occasionally nick games. You’re just not up to speed doing it all the time so I can understand Stephen Kenny, sometimes. Caoimhin must leave, in my opinion.
On September 27, when the Reds visit Leicester City in the third round of the League Cup, Kelleher is anticipated to make his first appearance of the year.
