Caoimhín Kelleher has performed well for Liverpool, but Mark Lawrenson believes Alisson Becker is still the team's No. 1 goalkeeper.
Kelleher has taken over the starting job recently while Alisson recovers from injury, and the Ireland international has backstopped the Reds to seven undefeated matches since his Brazilian teammate has been sidelined, with six wins and a draw across all competitions.
The 26-year-old has shown that he can start for a Premier League and Champions League-leading side, but Lawrenson still thinks Alisson will resume as starting goalkeeper when he returns.
With the transfer window set to open at the start of 2025, Kelleher has been linked to a move away from Anfield in search of a full-time starting job, but Lawrenson isn't convinced that will be the case as the club will still need him for the remainder of the season.
“Despite the rumours, I can’t see Liverpool letting Caoimhin Kelleher go in January," Lawrenson said while speaking to Paddy Power. "There is an argument to say that Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world, so he’ll be the number one when he comes back from injury, but during the time he’s been out, Kelleher has been brilliant.
“When he first joined Liverpool and was fighting for the number one spot, Kelleher was too busy in goal and made far too many mistakes, whereas now, the pressure is off him, and he can play with more freedom.
“Kelleher is playing in every game, which is growing his confidence even more and he’s done great. His penalty saves have been good, he’s playing better with the ball at his feet and is demanding his box better.
“He’s now in a great position as I’d imagine that plenty of clubs around Europe will be looking at him, so when the new goalkeeper arrives next summer [Giorgi Mamardashvili], he’ll have good options to either stay at Liverpool or move on and go elsewhere.
“However, unfortunately for him, when Alisson returns from injury, no matter how well he does, he’ll come out the team as Alisson is the number one.”