Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaks out as star requests to leave during international break

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to comments made by Caoimhin Kelleher during the international break.

The second-choice goalkeeper spoke openly about how he has been keen to leave the Reds for a matter of seasons but his requests for a move have fallen on deaf ears at Anfield. However, he is hopeful that the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili next summer could indicate that a move is on the cards for him in 2025.

Kelleher has impressed when offered opportunities on Merseyside, and Slot is seemingly unfazed by how the Republic of Ireland international is keen to play more regularly elsewhere.

Asked about the comments ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Slot said: “I would be worried if a player said they didn’t want to play first-team football and wanted to stay on the bench for life.

“It’s normal but it’s also normal that a club like this that competes for trophies has more than 11 who can play. So it is about helping the team when they have to and Caoimh has shown many times that he is ready when we need him.

“It’s a good thing he wants to play. It’s clear Alisson is No.1 but it’s a normal situation to be in and he has handled it really well.”

Liverpool signed Mamardashvili from Valencia over the summer as part of their succession planning between the sticks, but the Georgia international has returned to the La Liga outfit on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

But Kelleher feels that the signing of the 23-year-old would show that he is not viewed as a future No.1.

Speaking ahead of Ireland’s clash with Greece, he explained: “I think I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a No 1 and play week in, week out. The club have made that decision to get another goalkeeper in as well which, obviously from the outside looking in, looks like they’ve made a decision to go in a different direction.

“My ambitions have always been clear the last few seasons that I want to go and be a No 1. Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like maybe that’s 100 per cent my decision but maybe at times it’s not always in my hands as well.”