Richard Hughes admits ridiculous mistake with step taken towards transfer | OneFootball

Richard Hughes made a mistake last summer. A new step towards a transfer simply confirms it.

Liverpool did an awful lot of business last summer. It's safe to say that it hasn't really worked out and there will be some 'fixing' this time around.

That includes at goalkeeper. Liverpool may move Alisson Becker on, with interest from Juventus growing and reports now suggesting that a move is very much on.

So Giorgi Mamardashvili to be the new no.1, then? Well, not necessarily. Goal claims Liverpool have expressed their interest in signing James Trafford from Manchester City.

Trafford is currently the backup goalkeeper at City but has made no secret of his desire to be no.1. He's only moving, in other words, if he's guaranteed a starting spot.

But that simply shines a very bright light on one of Liverpool's transfers in 2025: Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford. The Irishman has been outstanding for the Bees, much as he was whenever called upon at Anfield.

Moving for Trafford shows why that, ultimately, was the wrong decision. The City star, for one, adds the same kind of things that Kelleher did - top quality as a homegrown player.

Liverpool lost a homegrown spot by selling him to Brentford. Trafford is clearly a way to get that spot back but is there any question that Kelleher could have filled that role? Moving for a very similar goalkeeper just one year later feels like the admittance of a mistake and it would be difficult to feel that they shouldn't have sold their star if Trafford were to arrive.

It's too late to get him back, though. So moving for the next-best thing is the only option.

Caoimhin Kelleher: Situation Summary

Brentford Standing and Performance

As of 24 April 2026, Caoimhín Kelleher has flourished since his £12.5 million move to Brentford last summer. The 27-year-old Irishman has finally secured the regular first-team football he craved, making 32 Premier League appearances this season. Statistically, he has been one of the division’s standout keepers, recording nine clean sheets and maintaining a 67.7% save percentage. His penalty-saving prowess remains a highlight, having stopped three out of seven faced this term. His consistent form, including a 7.3-rated performance in a recent 0–0 draw with Fulham, has helped solidify the Bees' mid-table position.

Transfer Speculation and Potential Return

Despite his success in West London, Kelleher’s future is back in the spotlight. Reports from 22 April suggest that Liverpool are considering a move to bring him back to Anfield as a replacement for the outgoing Alisson Becker, with rumors of a buy-back clause persisting. While Kelleher is settled at Brentford, the prospect of returning as the undisputed number one under Arne Slot is viewed as a significant draw. Other Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, are also reportedly monitoring his situation following his impressive breakout season as a starter.

International Status