Caoimhin Kelleher: 'I feel like I’ve done my years as a No 2. The ambition now is to be a No 1'

Kelleher also admitted in order to achieve his objective of being Ireland's first choice goalkeeper, he needs to be playing week in and week out.

ON THE MOVE?: Caoimhin Kelleher wants to be first choice for club and country. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Caoimhin Kelleher has hinted that in order to achieve his aim of being the first choice goalkeeper for club and country, he may need to leave Liverpool.

The Cork native enjoyed an impressive season for the Reds, standing in for Alisson for a prolonged spell after the Brazilian shot-stopper suffered a hamstring injury.

The former Ringmahon Rangers net-minder played in 14 consecutive matches for Jurgen Klopp’s side, taking him up to 26 appearances in total in all competitions in 2023/24, more than in the four previous campaigns combined.

That run in the side allowed Kelleher to show what he can do when given the opportunity to start on a regular basis and speaking in an interview with The Athletic, he admitted he is ready to be a permanent number one.

“I’m proud of this season, I’ve really proved myself,” said the 25-year-old.

“I love being at Liverpool and hopefully there’s more to come there. But I feel like I’ve done my years as a No 2. The ambition now is to be a No 1. I am ready and capable.

“It was the first time in my career that I’d had a spell like that and I loved it.

“I thrived on it. I’d been waiting for a moment like that. It was a massive opportunity for me to be Liverpool’s No 1 for that long.

“It was my time to show the level I believe I can perform at and the level people at the club think I’m able to play at.

“I proved that I’m good enough to play in the Premier League — I’m comfortable there. I’ve always had that belief in myself. Proving it to people was satisfying.

“When you’re going into games having not played for a few months, it’s really difficult, especially for a goalkeeper.

“I’ve always tried to be professional and stay focused because anything can happen and you might be called upon to come in. But playing every week, I felt so much more comfortable. It was the best feeling.

“My decision-making was better. I was in the kind of rhythm you only get with playing regularly. There’s that excitement that you know you are getting games. Confidence grows from knowing not only am I playing this week but next week as well.

“I love playing for my country. I’ve been fortunate to do that since I was 15 or 16,.

“As a kid growing up in Ireland, the national team is the biggest thing. My ambition is to be Ireland’s No 1. I want to help take us to major tournaments.

“That’s a big objective of mine but to really stake my claim I need to be playing week in and week out.”

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher makes an attempt to score past Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

The season just finished also saw Kelleher again star in a major final at Wembley to add another winners medal to his collection.

Almost two years on from scoring what proved to be the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, the Mahon man kept a clean sheet as Liverpool again overcame the Blues, this time after extra time.

It was a significant reward for granting Jurgen Klopp’s wish for him to stay but with the German now moving on himself, Kelleher again suggested the time might be right for him to follow suit with Premier League clubs interested in securing his services this summer.

“It ended up being our only trophy of the season so that made it even more special and keeping a clean sheet that day was vital,” he added.

“Playing against Man City at home (the 1-1 draw at Anfield in March) was another big one for me with the rivalry between us.

“You’re not going to play in a more high-profile game than that in world football and I thought I did really well “You think, ‘Yeah, I’m capable of doing this every week at a high level’. I got the taste for it and I want to do it all the time. My main ambition is to be a No 1.

“It would be great if that happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years.

“I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool. It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved.

“I love the club, I love the fans and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No 1.

“I wouldn’t say I was pushing (to leave) last summer but saying, ‘Look, I need to kick on for my career’ “Jurgen said, ‘If anything happens to Ali, we really need you to be there’. It worked out for the best this season because I played 26 games.

“There will be some discussions over the coming weeks. The club was busy with the manager leaving and appointing a new one. With all the new staff arriving, those talks will happen.”