Caoimhin Kelleher is facing a ‘career dilemma’ and needs a plan to realise his true potential.
That’s the view of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny who saw the Liverpool No 2 perform penalty shootout heroics once again in the Carabao Cup win over Derby County.
But that was the Corkman’s only appearance this season, although he did miss the start of the campaign with a thigh issue.
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"He needs to decide what to do," said Kenny, ahead of Thursday's clash with Norway. "It isn’t easy, but the more games he plays, the better it will be for his experiences.”
Kenny and Jurgen Klopp were embroiled in a war of words over where and when Kelleher sustained the injury.
But Kenny is clear that Kelleher, 23, has a decision to make on whether he stays at Liverpool as Alisson Becker’s back-up - or spreads his wings like Gavin Bazunu.
Bazunu became Kenny’s No 1 by joining Rochdale and Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City before sealing a permanent move to Southampton.
Kelleher made just eight appearances for Liverpool last year, two of them in the Premier League.
In 2020, he was close to joining a Dutch side on loan before Alisson got injured and while his profile briefly soared, he still plays second fiddle.
Kelleher - capped eight times - missed Ireland’s two games in September, but started all six of the other internationals this year with Bazunu injured.
But while back in the squad for Norway and Malta, Kelleher will revert to second-choice behind Bazunu.
Kenny said: “It was good to see Caoimhin back playing this week. He’s not played a game since (his injury) and it’s very hard.
“Caoimhin is not that young. Gavin is three years younger than Caoimhin, and Gavin has played a lot of games between Portsmouth and Rochdale.
“Caoimhin is not playing games. Alisson would be regarded as one of the top three in the world, so it’s not easy.
“He has a dilemma now, a career dilemma. We’ve had discussions (about it), but they have to remain private."
Kenny continued: "He’s obviously had some positive experiences. The Carabao Cup final was a big win for him. Playing and training every day with top players, really top players.
“But he’ll have his fork-in-the-road moment, where he needs to decide what to do. It isn’t easy, but the more games he plays, the better it will be for his experiences.”
Like Bazunu, Kenny reckons Kelleher is also top flight standard but feels he needs to prove it by playing games.
The value of top quality training sessions only takes you so far.
Kenny said: “What’s the barometer for measuring that? How do you gauge it? There’s nothing like experiencing games to really excel.
“The adrenaline to push yourself every week and the nerves of each game, playing regularly, to really excel, nothing can replicate that.
“The advantage of being a No 3 is that sometimes you can go on loan, but at No 2 you're really needed for those critical moments if the goalkeeper gets injured.
“It's something he has to revisit and have a career plan. I'm sure he wants to stay at Liverpool long term.
“But he's well capable of speaking for himself. Whether he goes on loan over a period of time is something he'd have to think about.”
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