The Football Faithful
·13 September 2024
The Football Faithful
·13 September 2024
Arne Slot has responded to Caoimhín Kelleher saying he wants to leave Liverpool and be a starting goalkeeper elsewhere.
The Republic of Ireland international said he had “made it clear in the last few years” that he wanted join another club to “be a number one”.
The 25-year-old has been one of the best backups in the Premier League in recent years, stepping in for Alisson Becker when called upon, including last season when he played a crucial role in the League Cup final win over Chelsea.
Kelleher also revealed that Liverpool had rejected bids for the shot stopper, with Nottingham Forest reportedly making a bid in the summer, and lamented the fact they’ve decided “to go in another direction” by signing Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Slot says it is a “good thing” Kelleher is so eager to play every week, but confirmed that Alisson remains the starting goalkeeper in the squad.
“I would be really worried if a player came out and said I don’t care about playing first-team football,” the Dutchman said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Forest.
“It’s normal they want to play and it’s also normal for a club like this to have more than 11 players who want to play.
“It’s a good place to be and he’s shown many times that he’s ready whenever we need him.
“It’s a good thing he wants to play. Who knows if he’ll play for us in the future, but it’s quite clear that Alisson is the number one for this moment.”
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