Chelsea could offer Liverpool a solution to unwanted transfer decision

In the grand scheme of things it barely mattered.

But when Caoimhin Kelleher flung himself to his left to turn Ismaila Sarr's shot on to his post in the 82nd minute of Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of Watford on Saturday, he confirmed that he, like the 10 players in front of him, was operating at the very peak of his powers.

A clean sheet was preserved and Kelleher, on an afternoon when he wasn't often required - he touched the ball just 44 times - provided a reminder of the quality he possesses.

The save capped off what has been a big week for the young Irishman.

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Kelleher made his full international debut for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday evening, keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory over 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.

He returned to Liverpool's AXA Training Ground in Kirkby on Thursday to be informed he'd be playing in goal for the Reds two days later, with regular number one Alisson heading straight to Spain from Brazil to quarantine and be ready for the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

As ever, Kelleher took it all in his stride and his late save is evidence the 22-year-old from Cork boasts the highest levels of concentration - a vital attribute in elite goalkeepers.

"It's not easy obviously, but playing for a team like Liverpool where for the majority of games we are going to dominate possession I'm not going to have much to do," he said after the game.

"But when I am called upon, that's the most important time. Thankfully I was able to make a save and keep the clean sheet."

That was Kelleher's third clean sheet in as many games for club and country so far this season.

Indeed, the youngster delivers each and every time he's called upon. He impressed when Liverpool beat Norwich 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup last month, saving a Christos Tzolis penalty in the first half before making several more stops to keep the hosts at bay later in the game.

Such performances won't come as a surprise to Kopites who watched as Kelleher replaced Adrian as the Reds' number two last season and coped admirably in the absence of Alisson.

He would keep two clean sheets in five appearances for the Reds before being rewarded with a new five-year contract in June.

Liverpool coaches speak highly of Kelleher's maturity and confidence in training, where he was blossomed as understudy to Alisson.

But that remains the reality for Kelleher, who will now drop back out this side for crucial matches with Atletico Madrid and Manchester United before returning for the trip to Preston in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

And while Kelleher has much to gain from playing for a club the size of Liverpool and learning from a goalkeeper the calibre of Alisson in the immediate future, how long before he hopes to become a regular?

And therein lies the issue for Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards.

Make no mistake, Kelleher is a goalkeeper of great quality and his ceiling is clearly high, but having made his international debut and had a taste of first team football, the next step will soon beckon.

So how can the dilemma be solved so that all parties are satisfied?

A long-term loan could be the answer, with Liverpool having a good track record of finding good homes for players to learn and develop.

That is something rivals Chelsea put to good use with Thibault Courtois, signing the Belgian as a highly-rated youngster before sending him to hone his craft with Atletico Madrid for three seasons before he returned to be number one at Stamford Bridge.

The problem is, it's rare to find as good a home as Atletico Madrid and even if Kelleher returns in three years time, a 32-year-old Alisson could still be at the peak of his powers.

But there is another way.

And it means Liverpool taking a risk by selling Kelleher.

Indeed, the Reds could make some money on the goalkeeper and give him a permanent home. But as Edwards and his team have done before, they could add in a buyback clause, or ensure they have first refusal on him, to protect themselves.

That way, Kelleher could continue to progress, make mistakes and learn, while Liverpool can watch and pounce should he continue to blossom into the top class goalkeeper he threatens to be.

What's clear is Liverpool have a huge prospect on their hands - and should Kelleher keep progressing, both he and the Reds will have a big decision to make in the near future.