10 months ago
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Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher tipped to leave Anfield this summer.
Kelleher has spent his whole career at Liverpool, where he has established himself as a dependable No.2 to Alisson Becker.
He helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2022, and has made 32 appearances for the club since his debut in 2019, though only seven of those have come in the Premier League.
However, there are rumours circulating that the 25-year-old could depart Liverpool at the end of the season, with Celtic heavily linked with the Republic of Ireland international.
Their manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be a fan of the player and could be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper with Joe Hart set to turn 37 in April.
Liverpool would want £20million for Kelleher whose contract expires in 2026, and who has conceded 14 goals in 11 games this season, keeping just two clean sheets.
The Mirror now report that Klopp and co. do have a contingency plan in place should the keeper leave, with Patterson catching their eye thanks to his impressive displays for Sunderland.
The 23-year-old established himself as the Black Cats No.1 in 2022, helping his boyhood club win promotion from League One, before playing a big part in their run to the Championship play-offs last season.
He could well be a Premier League player next season, with Sunderland currently seventh in the second-division and only out of the play-offs on goal difference.
In 27 league games, Patterson has conceded 30 goals, keeping eight clean sheets, and only last September he signed a new contract which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2028.
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland would be willing to let the keeper go and for what price, but much will depend on whether Liverpool let Kelleher go.
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