Your Liverpool FC news digest for Friday, June 2.
Republic of Ireland chief hints at Caoimhin Kelleher move
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has urged Caoimhin Kelleher to quit Liverpool for first-team football this summer.
Jurgen Klopp barely used his backup goalkeeper this season but drafted him in for the trip to Southampton on the final day. However, the 24-year-old was criticised for his performance as he shipped in four goals to the Premier League’s rock-bottom side.
The underwhelming display - combined with his lack of appearances in 2022-23 - raised question marks over Kelleher’s long-term future. Speaking ahead of Ireland’s double-header against Greece and Gibraltar, Kenny backed the Liverpool understudy - while hinting at a likely summer move in the coming months.
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"Caoimhin has never let us down," he told reporters. "He's a very talented goalkeeper and, hopefully, it looks like he'll be on the move this summer.
"(A move) will only benefit him as he needs to play games because he has been starved of games this year. That has been a problem for him. He's very, very talented. It's hard to leave Liverpool, they are such an iconic club.
“But he's not so young any more. He's 24 now and he needs to play, and he knows that. I've been speaking to him regularly over the last year or two. He knows that himself. He knew it earlier in the season and I think he has been in dialogue with Liverpool about that for a long time. It's most likely it will happen in the summer."
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Sadio Mane linked with shock Liverpool return
German reports claim Sadio Mane could be in line for a shock return to Liverpool.
Just one year ago, Reds supporters were reeling - but remained understanding - as the Senegalese forward sought pastures new. Mane became an Anfield legend during his six years on Merseyside, winning every major trophy possible while scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances.
Fans gave the 31-year-old their blessing when he pursued a Munich move but to suggest the deal has not worked out would be an understatement. Tasked with filling the void left by Robert Lewandowski, Mane scored just seven league goals in a disappointing campaign.
An alleged bust-up with Leroy Sane following their Champions Leagueelimination to Manchester City in April resulted in Mane being suspended by the club. For the remainder of the season, the Reds favourite played a bit-part role as Bayern snatched the Bundesliga title on the final day.
German outlet Bild are reporting that Allianz chiefs are planning a drastic shake-up after almost losing their grip on the division to Borussia Dortmund. While a move for Mane may prove popular with Liverpool supporters, Jurgen Klopp has already planned for the future by signing Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
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