Kelleher made just four starts for Liverpool in all competitions this season

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny expects goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to leave Liverpool this summer as he has been “starved of games” on Merseyside.

The 24-year made his first Premier League start of the season in the Reds’ final day draw with Southampton.

And Kenny believes a move away is necessary for Kelleher’s development.

“It looks like he will be on the move this summer, and it can only benefit him because he needs to play games,” he said.

“He has been starved of games this year and that has been a problem for him,” added Kenny.

Kelleher, who made his debut for the club in 2019 after coming through Liverpool’s academy, has established himself as Jurgen Klopp’s second choice goalkeeper behind Alisson.

The Cork native started every game in Liverpool’s run to the Carabao Cup in 2022, scoring the winning penalty in the shootout victory against Chelsea in the final.

He suffered a hamstring injury last summer which ruled him out of the first two months of the domestic campaign.

Kelleher scored the winning penalty for Liverpool in the 2022 Carabao Cup victory against Chelsea

Then, with Liverpool knocked out in the round of 16 in the Carabao Cup and in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Kelleher saw his minutes diminish further.

His start for the Republic, in a friendly win against Latvia in March, was his first competitive game in two months and he was then forced to wait another two months for his next, which came against the Saints last weekend.

Kenny admits that the memories Kelleher has made at Liverpool make it difficult to leave, but that he must move on to pastures new to play regularly, especially at his age.

“He is very talented, and it is hard to leave Liverpool, such an iconic club. It is not easy to move, there is a process you go through at a club like that,” he said.

“The previous season was a success to a degree for him, winning the League Cup and playing in the cup competitions, there were a lot of games.

“They got knocked out early this year so there wasn’t much football for him. I think he is ready to go and play regularly, he certainly needs to play as he is not so young now, he is 24.

“I think it will happen this summer. It is not right normally to talk about a player moving, but at Liverpool, he is behind one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“It is not going to get any easier and you can’t improve when you aren’t playing.”

Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas is caught in a tug-of-war between England and Wales over national team allegiance… with Reds starlet wanted for international youth fixtures in JuneLiverpool youngster Lewis Koumas has caught the eye of two national sidesBoth England and Wales are looking to land the 17-year-old forward Koumas has caught the eye of Wales legend Gareth Bale ahead of his decision

Published: 16:39 BST, 1 June 2023 | Updated: 16:39 BST, 1 June 2023

Talented Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas is at the centre of a tug-of-war between England and Wales over which country he should represent.

Koumas, 17, is wanted by Wales under-19s for their two games against Sweden in June but England have also taken note of the young forward and asked about his availability for their under-18s internationals against Norway and Australia in Lisbon.

The Anfield prospect joined Liverpool at the age of 11 and signed his first professional contract in January after his 17th birthday.

He made his debut in the EFL Trophy last year alongside Stefan Bajcetic and has also impressed and scored goals in the UEFA Youth League.

Gareth Bale is among the players who have already shown an interest in the starlet’s developing career which will give Welsh fans hope he will end up committing to Cymru.

Lewis Koumas (right) is being sought after by both Wales and England’s national sides

Koumas is expected to feature in Liverpool’s under-21 side in Premier League II next season despite his age.

To add to his international options, he would also be eligible to play for Cyprus through his family.