Liverpool star urged to leave Anfield by national team manager

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has urged goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to leave Liverpool this summer in search of regular minutes.

Kelleher, 25, was promoted to Ireland's starting goalkeeper last season after Alisson's injury handed him a lengthy run in the Liverpool side, but he is set to return to a backup role next year.

Earlier this summer, Kelleher confessed he had no desire to spend another season on the bench behind Alisson and suggested he would be prepared to leave Anfield if the offer of regular minutes arrived.

Keen to step things up, Hallgrimsson has publicly called on Kelleher to head for pastures new this summer.

"Of course, especially when he showed everyone that he can play at the highest level," the Ireland boss said when asked if Kelleher should leave Liverpool.

"It would be a shame if he's not playing regularly after he has already shown everyone how good he is, the level he played at."

Kelleher has entered the final two years of his contract and his public comments will likely convince Liverpool to entertain a summer sale, although reports suggest their asking price for the Ireland stopper could complicate things.

Rumours of demands as high as £40m have emerged, although most reports revolve around a fee of £25m.

Liverpool have already lost the services of third-choice goalkeeper Adrian, who allowed his contract to expire to facilitate a move to Real Betis, so Kelleher's exit would leave a significant hole in Arne Slot's squad.

Brazil international Bento was touted as a possible replacement for Kelleher before his move to Al Nassr, while Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow has been tipped to follow Slot to Anfield.

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