This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Daily Star, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is weighing up the decision to send young goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher out on loan, with Preston interested in his services.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the 20-year-old glovesman has made two appearances for the first-team this season, with both of those coming in the Carabao Cup.
Kelleher firstly kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over MK Dons, before saving a penalty in a shootout win over Arsenal to hand his side a 5-4 victory in the battle from 12 yards – the scoring had finished 5-5 before the shootout took place.
The report states that Klopp is weighing up the decision to loan the player who the club feel could be a first-team starter in the future.
Loan would make perfect sense for everyone involved
Loaning the Republic of Ireland U21 stopper out would be the best option for everyone involved.
That wouldn’t be the case if Kelleher was the only option behind Alisson Becker, but Klopp has Adrian to rely on for the cup competitions so he should feel comfortable enough to sanction a loan exit for the 20-year-old.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss has already described the academy graduate as a “sensational talent”, so in that respect, it would be unfair on the youngster to restrict his game time to a few cup appearances here and there – doing that will not see Kelleher make significant improvement anytime soon.
Furthermore, a loan to Preston seems like a good option given Alex Neil’s side’s form right now – they are flying high in the Championship and are on course to mount a genuine challenge for promotion.
Loaning Kelleher out would help the keeper’s development, while also allowing Adrian to make more appearances – it is a move that just makes too much sense for the European champions and is one that should be completed in January.