World-class Liverpool star must not play for the club again

We do not know precisely when, however within the close to future, Liverpool may welcome three gorgeous acquisitions to Arne Slot’s title-winning squad.

The defensive flanks will probably be restored by means of offers for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Dutch speedster Jeremie Frimpong, whereas Florian Wirtz is on the verge of turning into Anfield’s file signing, trying prone to be part of Frimpong in transferring from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Premier League champions have scarcely strengthened in any respect throughout the previous three switch home windows, making their twentieth top-flight title all of the extra candy, but it surely has been tainted with some poignancy, with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving subsequent month.

Trent’s emotional goodbye

Alexander-Arnold has been criticised on social media for his supposed lack of emotion within the build-up to his show-stopping finale at Anfield on Sunday, however the 26-year-old has by no means actually been one to put on his coronary heart on his sleeve.

Nonetheless, who may say he was not freighted with ruefulness after Liverpool drew with Palace to wrap up the title, then lastly lifted the league trophy in entrance of their followers?

The vice-captain will relinquish his place subsequent month when he joins Actual Madrid on a free switch, his £180k-per-week contract set to run out.

On the finish of the day, Alexander-Arnold’s rise from the academy has been synonymous with the interval of sustained success throughout practically a decade.

He made his skilled debut, below Klopp’s wing, within the League Cup, beginning throughout a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur within the fourth spherical.

Alexander-Arnold has since swept up the lot along with his boyhood membership, leaving the Premier League with extra assists than every other defender within the division’s historical past. He is gained it twice, and certainly departs with a gold medal round his neck.

Trent’s glittering Liverpool legacy is incontrovertible, set in stone. Nonetheless, it has been dulled only a bit by his actions.

Certainly, there’s been a sure slyness to the way in which he is ducked interviews throughout the yr, his abject efficiency in opposition to Manchester United, his pointed celebration at West Ham United, retorting to followers questioning his love for the membership.

Had he proven extra candour from the start, the entire fiasco might need been prevented. Alexander-Arnold, for certain, may have taken a leaf from Caoimhin Kelleher’s e-book, for the shot-stopper also needs to depart this summer season however will achieve this having given his all and with transparency.

Liverpool should half methods with Kelleher

Out of contract on the finish of subsequent season, it appears like Kelleher goes to go away Liverpool this summer season, having clearly expressed his want to take a extra senior position to “be a primary”.

Aged 26, the Republic of Eire worldwide has featured 67 occasions for Liverpool’s first workforce, along with his efforts as Alisson Becker’s deputy main skipper Virgil van Dijk to hail him as a “world-class” participant.

Alisson is broadly thought of to be one of many biggest goalkeepers of his technology, however his largest weak spot has been his lack of ability to tread water on the health entrance.

In reality, the actual fact Kelleher has loved such regularity of motion throughout his years as a Liverpool participant underscores why Slot wants a gentle quantity two to problem Alisson for that high spot between the sticks.

Kelleher has carried out the position extremely properly, with Jurgen Klopp even declaring him “the perfect quantity two on the earth” after successful the Carabao Cup in opposition to Chelsea in February 2024.

Rising by means of the academy ranks after becoming a member of approach again in 2015, leaving Ringmahon Rovers in his Irish homeland, Kelleher has now accomplished, instrumental in successful, notably, two League Cup titles and extra in addition to.

Nonetheless, he needs first-team soccer this summer season and Liverpool can not provide him that. He should be bought, with current studies suggesting the likes of Aston Villa are interested by making their transfer as Emi Martinez prepares to go away for pastures new.

With FSG having acted pre-emptively final summer season, agreeing a £29m price with Valencia for Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, 24, there merely is not room for Kelleher anymore.

As per FBref, Kelleher ranks among the many high 1% of goalkeepers throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for clear sheet proportion (50%), however solely among the many high 38% for save proportion, making a touch upon the energy of Liverpool’s backline.

He is nonetheless a very good goalkeeper, one with the potential to realize greatness, however he pales compared to Alisson, and that is to not his discredit.

Valencia’s star in entrance of the web, nevertheless, has been cherry-picked attributable to his potential to achieve Alisson’s degree. Certainly, having been described as an “absolute monster” of a shot-stopper with a commanding presence by Spanish journalist Paco Polit, able to making “unimaginable saves.”

He proved his value after which some throughout EURO 2024, a veritable wall for a Georgia facet whose success in reaching the quarter-finals after beating Portugal led to him being awarded the Finest Goalkeeper accolade, and deservedly so.

Already believed to be “among the finest shot-stoppers in Europe” by hawk-eyed expertise scout Jacek Kulig, Liverpool is likely to be onto a winner with this one, and it is comprehensible that Kelleher needs to be allowed to seek for a brand new chapter in his profession, FSG enjoying an extended recreation which could simply see followers nodding their heads in appreciation of their homeowners’ shrewdness down the road.