Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given believes Caoimhin Kelleher must leave Liverpool to continue his playing career, even if he has to force a move in the transfer window.

The Reds turned down approaches from Premier League rivals for Kelleher’s services last summer after he made 26 appearances for the club last campaign following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Kelleher has been a reliable back-up to Alisson Becker in recent seasons and is deputizing again for the Reds after Alisson picked up a thigh injury in October, however Alisson will return to the post when he resumes full training after the international break from November.

Republic of Ireland legend Shay Given believes Kelleher showed last season that he has what it takes to become a Premier League No.1 and needs to leave Anfield soon.

Given said: “Caoimhin played 26 games last season and in that time showed he has the talent to be No.1 in the Premier League. But he turns 26 later this month and, to be brutally honest, he needs to get rid of Liverpool if he wants that to happen.

“Kelleher would have been disappointed to hear Slot publicly stating that Alisson will always be his first-choice goalkeeper because everyone wants to train every day with the belief that they are fighting for a place in the team.

“Every professional footballer has to have that hope that if they get a place in the team and perform well then they will keep their shirt. Caoimhin doesn’t have that. He has been made clear that he will always be behind Alisson – and let’s be honest, he is up against a guy who is one of the best in the world.

“Caoimhin turns 26 later this month. He did his time at Liverpool. No disrespect to a brilliant club but now they are starting to think they can’t keep Kelleher much longer because he is a quality player.

“Maybe Caoimhin has been too nice about it so far because sometimes you have to force the issue. It’s not a pretty situation. He has been very loyal to Liverpool and will not want to upset the fans.

“But at the same time, you only have one career, one life and one opportunity to make the most of what you have. In ten years, he could be 36 and people are talking about him being over the hill.”

Kelleher has made eight appearances for the Reds this season in all competitions as they lead both the Premier League and Champions League standings.