Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Shane Long has recalled his disbelief at Caoimhin Kelleher being forced to wait for his Ireland debut. The Liverpool goalkeeper received his first call-up in 2018, but did not play for his country until almost three years later. Kelleher has forged a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, despite occupying the backup spot behind Alisson Becker. The 26-year-old has made 20 appearances for Arne Slot’s side this season, with half of his games helping Liverpool to win the league title. This summer, Kelleher faces a potential crossroads in his career as he weighs up whether to stay at Anfield or establish himself elsewhere amid reported interest from several clubs. However, the goalkeeper is accustomed to biding his time, as Long recounted Kelleher’s lack of opportunities after stepping up to Ireland’s senior squad. “When Caoimhin Kelleher first came into the Ireland squad, I was so impressed with him; he's an unbelievable goalkeeper,” Long told Ladbrokes. “He's really calm, really quiet, and he takes it all in his stride. “When he first came into the Ireland set-up, he wasn't starting games, and I couldn't understand it, because in training he was just ridiculous, just saving everything. I’d be half-celebrating some finishes, and he'd be plucking them out from top corners. He just has this attitude where he takes it all in his stride as well. “There were a lot of young goalkeepers coming through at the time, Gavin Bazunu was picked as the number one and, don't get me wrong, Gavin's a great keeper - but the competition was so high and it was tough on Caoimhin because everyone could see how good he was. He made an impression on me straight away, and it's great to see him breaking into the team now.” (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Kelleher has started 12 of the last 13 internationals and is set to keep his place for the upcoming fixtures in June following Bazunu’s knee injury, which cut short his loan spell at Standard Liege from Southampton. Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has been vocal about wanting to see his number one become first-choice at club level; a message Kelleher echoed earlier this season. His future prospects at Liverpool were further doubted after the club signed highly-rated shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer. Mamardashvili was immediately loaned back to Valencia, but the added threat of competition has led Kelleher to be linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, among others, ahead of the summer transfer window. When asked about his future in October, Kelleher admitted to the Telegraph: "I was quite clear [last summer] that I wanted to play first-team football, whether here or elsewhere. I wanted to be a number one. That was my thought process – but it’s always been my thought process because, obviously, I am a football player and, like every player, I want to play.” (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images) Whether Kelleher will gain regular football and fulfil his potential away from Liverpool remains to be seen. Long, who has previously advocated for his former team-mate to join Chelsea, has credited Kelleher for seamlessly stepping in for Alisson on several occasions and helping guide Liverpool to multiple trophies. “He works hard, he trains hard, and he's got so much quality - the sky's the limit for him, really. I suppose playing at Liverpool and being able to showcase his talent in front of the world pretty much secures his place as [Ireland’s] number one for now,” Long said. “You can see how much Arne Slot respects him and acknowledges how good he is. He's so valued and respected at the club, and he knows he'll get his chance there - it's a great place to be while things are going so well. “He's been excellent whenever he's been called upon, and the best credit you can give him is that even when Alisson has been coming back from injury at points, there have been question marks over whether he'd get back into the team. When he has played, the defenders in front of him have always looked really comfortable - they clearly see the quality he has.”