Caoimhin Kelleher sent blunt Liverpool message after 'ironic' transfer admission

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher admitted earlier this summer that he might have to move on in search of regular first-team minutes — but ex-Reds shot-stopper David James has sent him a blunt warning .

"My main ambition is to be a number one and it would be great if that happened at Liverpool , but I’m not silly," the 25-year-old told The Athletic in May. "I know that Ali has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years.

"Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a number one. I’ve loved being at Liverpool and hopefully there’s more to come. But I feel like I’ve done my years as a number two."

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With Jurgen Klopp having previously described Kelleher as the best number two goalkeeper in the world, Liverpool would be reluctant to lose the Irishman. He would be valued at a substantial sum of at least $32m (£25m/€30m).

And while James can understand Kelleher's desire to play more regularly, he has advised him to think carefully about his next move. Sometimes, the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

"First of all: don't read newspapers!" former Liverpool shot-stopper James tells Liverpool.com on behalf of Fair Betting Sites . "It seems like every other day, Ali is leaving or staying. If you're reading newspapers, you're sat at home thinking 'Am I going to be number one or number two?'.

"There is a conversation to be had with Arne Slot and this is where the manager is pivotal with everything. They have a new goalkeeping coach coming in but there will be a new team to work with.

"It's slightly ironic talking about extra minutes; the guy has won more medals than maybe only a couple of goalies in the Premier League — one being Ali, and another being Ederson, and maybe chuck in Stefan Ortega. He's winning trophies and playing in these finals — things that kids dream about. He is living year in, year out by playing for Liverpool.

"The want to play every week, I totally get. That is my mentality. But that will come at a sacrifice — I would argue the sacrifice is that you aren't going to win much. The conversation with Arne is whether there is a middle ground — playing the cup games as he was before. I don't know the answer — he is a very capable goalkeeper, but he has the world's best in front of him."

Liverpool.com says: James is right, of course. While Kelleher could move elsewhere and play more, he wouldn't be playing in cup finals and for one of the biggest clubs in the world. The ideal scenario would be that Slot could guarantee him the domestic cups, but it remains to be seen if that would be enough to persuade the player to stay. If he does go, it will be near-impossible to find a replacement of the same level, hence the big price tag that would be attached to his head.