Liverpool star issues request to leave club days after transfer window closed

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has issued a public request to leave Anfield following the signing of Valencia FC stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Reds made Mamardashvili their first signing of the Arne Slot era when they completed a £30million deal to sign the Georgian star, though he will remain with the La Liga club for the remainder of the season.

Mamardashvili is, however, viewed as the long-term replacement for Alisson amid Saudi Pro League interest in the 31-year-old. That is despite Kelleher impressing on numerous occasions as the Brazilian’s backup.

And days after the transfer window closed across the majority of countries, Kelleher has expressed his desire to leave after effectively being told that he will not be number one under Slot.

“I made it clear in the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be a number one,” Kelleher said while away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland. “The club has made that decision to get a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) which makes it look like they’ve made a decision to go another direction.

“Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough and I want to go and play week in, week out.”

Mamardashvili was recently named on the 10-man shortlist for the Yachine Trophy, which is awarded to the world’s best men’s goalkeeper at France Football’s annual Ballon d’Or ceremony, and is considered to be one of the most promising stoppers in Europe.

And his addition was hardly a show of faith in Kelleher, who remained at Anfield this season despite interest from elsewhere and a reported valuation in excess of £20m.

The Times claimed that Nottingham Forest had a bid ‘well below Liverpool’s valuation’ rejected on August 29 for Kelleher, with the Reds not looking to sell their number two at that time.

The 25-year-old has proven himself to be one of the top backups in world football during his time under Jurgen Klopp and few would begrudge him the chance to start elsewhere.

And Kelleher has taken the drastic action of speaking publicly about his desire to leave, having been denied his wish to part ways with the club after five years of service, with the hope of finding a new home where he feels he is appropriately valued.