Why Liverpool have rejected late £15m Caoimhin Kelleher bid

Liverpool have rejected a late £15m bid for Caoimhin Kelleher, according to reports. The Reds won't even accept their asking price.

This comes from the Daily Mail. They report that Liverpool have rejected a late bid from Nottingham Forest for Caoimhin Kelleher.

Forest put £15m on the table for Kelleher but the Reds weren't willing to even negotiate. They rejected it out of hand - there's no chance of this one going anywhere.

In fact, Liverpool wouldn't even sell Kelleher for their asking price of £20m+. It's officially too late in the window for them to consider anything and they will be holding onto the Irishman for the rest of the season.

The reasoning is fairly simple. The club is currently competing in four competitions and can't afford to reduce the squad depth. Kelleher is currently no.2 behind Alisson Becker in goal - he has an important role to play.

Potentially a massive one, should Alisson pick up an injury at any point during the next four months. Kelleher is already pencilled in to play the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea but he could end up playing far more.

Thus, Liverpool won't be taking any risks here. Of course, a truly ridiculous offer could maybe tempt them, but it would have to be double what Forest have offered. Such an offer isn't arriving, if we're being realistic.

Instead, no one should expect any major business before the transfer window shuts. It's possible a player or two departs on loan but that'll only be youngsters or those unlikely to play any sort of role this season.

Kelleher has a clear, important role in the squad and it's one that Liverpool want him to keep.

The big question, then, is whether Forest return in the summer. They'll now sign Matz Sels from Strasbourg but they'll know Liverpool would be far more willing to talk about Kelleher once this season is done.