Steve McManaman says Liverpool will ‘have a problem next summer’ after ‘almost disrespectful’ verdict
Steve McManaman thinks Caoimhin Kelleher’s form could create problems for Liverpool at a later date
Steve McManaman believes Liverpool will have a problem next summer when Giorgi Mamardashvili joins the club because of the “outstanding” form of Caoimhin Kelleher. The Reds agreed a £25million deal in August for Georgia international Mamardashvili, who will spend the season at Valencia before arriving at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Kelleher has come in and performed well in the absence of Alisson Becker, who has suffered another hamstring injury after a spell on the sidelines with the same injury last season.
Kelleher has maintained a high level of form for Liverpool for several seasons now and the Irishman has made no secret of his desire to play regular first-team football.
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And after watching the goalkeeper’s display in the 1-0 win over RB Leipzig in Germany, in which Kelleher made excellent saves to keep the Reds in the lead late in the game, former Reds winger McManaman is anticipating some big decisions in next summer’s transfer market.
He told TNT Sports: “It’s almost disrespectful saying he’s number two. Of course he plays second in command, when fit, to Alisson. But he’s played too many games now to be associated with that. He’s outstanding when called upon.
“I think Liverpool have been very fortunate. They have been lucky because he was called upon at a young age and he stood up to it straight away, because if he was 25 and now he’d be 28, then they’d have big problems and they’d have to let him go. But because he jumped into the team at 21 and got ahead of Adrian, they’ve allowed him to flourish.
“The problem is going to be next summer. They’ve bought Mamardashvili, he is going to join the club next year and he won’t be a number two, Alisson won’t be and he (Kelleher) certainly can’t be because he’s too good. That’s when decisions will have to be made.”
Kelleher was also praised by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who was alongside McManaman in the TNT studio.
Ferdinand said: “You have to have a level of humility to go ‘I am this guy’ and sit back in the background for the majority of the time. When called upon, he’s got the confidence to come in and perform.
“That means your training has to be on point all of the time, concentration levels high and you make sure you’re sharpening your tools so you’re ready. When that time comes, you’re ready to rock and roll.”
