£20m Caoimhin Kelleher’s transfer decision is obvious amid Wolves and Brentford interest

Jurgen Klopp once claimed that Caoimhin Kelleher as ‘the best number two goalkeeper in the world’. Then again, he would say that, wouldn’t he? Such a pearly-grinned charmer is our Jurgen.

As flattering and hyperbolic as the German’s assessment of his understudy stopper may have been, there is no denying that Kelleher is a talent. At 24, he has played a role - and sometimes even a relatively significant one - in a number of Liverpool’s recent silverware successes, and his development on Merseyside has been justly rewarded with no fewer than 10 senior international caps for the Republic of Ireland. That’s 10 more than you or I are ever likely to have.

He is a dependable deputy, a very admirable shot-stopper, and there is a real feeling that were it not for the imperious presence of a certain Alisson Becker, he might actually have a had a realistic chance of breaking into the first team on a frequent basis before now.

The reality of the situation, of course, is that the hirsute Brazilian is both world class and categorically not going anywhere, and as a consequence Kelleher has much soul-searching to do this summer. Does he stay put at Anfield, forever resigned to a fate of matchday squads and Carabao Cup cameos, or does he venture out on his own, striding forth into the unknown in pursuit of something more, something tangible? It is an unenviable pickle that he finds himself in, and one that must be occupying a great deal of his waking thought.

Evidently, Klopp would like to keep him around - unless, of course, his previous fawning was purely performative. But if the usual speculation wranglers are to be believed, there is no shortage of outside interest in Kelleher either. Already this summer, the likes of Brighton, Brentford, and Tottenham have been linked, while the Daily Mail reported late on Thursday evening that the Irishman has emerged as a target for Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves.

Kelleher’s future, then, ultimately boils down to two questions; should he leave Liverpool, and if he does, where should he go? The first, it goes without saying, is a matter of personal preference. Perhaps he is happy with his lot at Anfield. Perhaps he is of the opinion that over the next few years he can loosen Alisson’s grasp on the number one jersey, maybe usurp him even. Then again, Becker is still only 30 - no age for a goalkeeper - and barring some catastrophic, miraculous implosion in form, that seems unlikely.

Let’s imagine then, just for a moment, that Kelleher does decide that the time has come for him to step out from the shadow of the dugout, and that he consequently pushes for an exit in the coming weeks. Where exactly would he end up?

While various clubs have been credited with interest in the player, several of those linked have since made moves that could render their admiration obsolete. Brighton, for instance, have recently swooped to sign Dutch prospect Bart Verbruggen. Tottenham have only just signed Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Little has changed at Brentford, but the general consensus was that Kelleher would be drafted in as a replacement for David Raya, and with Manchester United about to sign Andre Onana and Chelsea seemingly dropping out of the race for the Spaniard, there is now a relatively decent chance that he could stay at the Gtech Community Stadium this summer.

And that leaves Wolves. At the moment, Wanderers seem pretty content with their goalkeeping situation - and so they should be. Jose Sa has been a marvellous addition to the squad at Molineux since he arrived from Olympiacos a couple of years back, and while his form may have dipped at times last season, there is no disputing that he is a worthy Premier League number one.

So worthy, in fact, that Nottingham Forest are said to be after him. Steve Cooper’s side can no longer rely on loanee Keylor Navas, who has returned to parent club Paris Saint-Germain, and while talks with Manchester United for Dean Henderson remain ongoing, there is no concrete indication that the England international will return to the City Ground either. As such, other targets are being assessed, and the suggestion is that Sa is chief among them.

Now, should the 30-year-old be prised away from Wolves before the end of August, Lopetegui will be fully aware of the need to parachute in a suitable alternative - and this is where Kelleher enters the fray. Potentially. The thing with goalkeeping acquisitions is that once the dominoes start toppling, it can be difficult to stop them. Vacuums are created and must be filled in kind. For clubs, that can be a nightmare, but for a second choice Premier League stopper with all of the credentials and ambition to make the step up to being a number one, that nightmare can represent a golden opportunity.

Wolves are a good side with a good manager who should enjoy a good season. If all goes to plan, they will finish comfortably in mid-table, and those of a more optimistic disposition associated with the club will believe that they have an outside chance of pushing for European qualification under the guidance of the superb Lopetegui.

Whether the £20 million price tag reportedly attached to Kelleher would make them baulk is something only they will know, but if their interest in the Irishman is genuine, and if talks between themselves and Liverpool could pass without any notable hitches, he could do far, far worse than a move to Molineux.

At a certain point, a talent of Kelleher’s obvious potential has to start being a touch selfish. He needs to be playing regular first team football, and he has proven that he is good enough to do so in the Premier League. Maybe he should consider leaving Anfield this summer, and maybe he could be the answer to a problem that would otherwise hinder Wolves considerably.