‘He could be one of world’s best’ – what next for Kelleher?

It has always felt like Kelleher would eventually have to move on – unless he kept waiting for Alisson, who is seven years older than him, to decline or leave.

But the Irishman’s hand effectively seemed to be forced in August when Liverpool agreed to sign Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Mamardashvili, now 24, in a deal worth up to £29m next summer.

That could drop Kelleher, who joined the club aged 16 from Cork side Ringmahon Rangers, to third choice.

“I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,” said Kelleher in September.

“The club’s made that decision to get another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve made a decision to go in a different direction.”

Even if Liverpool surprisingly sold Alisson, who has 18 months left on his deal with the option for another year, Kelleher would likely remain second choice, this time to a younger goalkeeper.

Liverpool have turned down bids from Nottingham Forest in the past year, while Celtic have also been strongly linked.

Last month former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He isn’t getting any younger.

“Each game that goes by where he doesn’t play, he will never get back.

“He has only got one career, one life and one opportunity at being a top goalkeeper.”

Kelleher’s recent run in the team seems to have proved he is good enough – but he will now face another spell on the sidelines with Alisson’s return.

In October, former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld told BBC Radio Merseyside: “Alisson is the best in the world.

“I think this is a moment for Kelleher to show the world what he’s capable of. He will probably leave at the end of the season.”