Did Liverpool let the perfect Alisson successor leave?
Former Liverpool star Stephen Warnock suggests the club already had the perfect successor to Alisson in Caoimhin Kelleher before he departed.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC0 / Author: Timmy96
Alisson Becker is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign, bringing a nine-year tenure at Anfield to a close. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been instrumental in the club's success, securing both Premier League and Champions League titles.
As the Reds prepare for a future without their long-standing number one, former player Stephen Warnock has suggested that the club may have already had the ideal candidate on their books in Caoimhin Kelleher, who departed for Brentford in 2025. Warnock believes the Irishman's years of training alongside Alisson helped him develop the composure and shot-stopping skills necessary for the top level.
I thought they had an adequate replacement in Kelleher when he was at the club. I love Kelleher and what he's about. I think he's been in and around Alisson for the best part of five, six years, taught him so much. Stephen Warnock
The current goalkeeper situation remains complex, with recent signing Giorgi Mamardashvili currently viewed as a work in progress rather than a ready-made replacement. Warnock noted concerns regarding Mamardashvili's ability to contribute to Liverpool's build-up play, emphasizing the high expectations for keepers in their system.