Liverpool's Arne Slot has offered his take on Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher's comments during the Ireland camp and admits he recognises the Cork native's desire to play more football.
Kelleher's future at Liverpool has been a subject of discussion for a number of years now and became a talking point last week when he was asked about his situation at Liverpool.
Liverpool’s recent signing of Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is set to join the club next year, has led many to believe that Kelleher will eventually depart.
"I've made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be number one and play week in, week out," said Kelleher last week.
"The club has made the decision to sign another goalkeeper, and from the outside looking in, it seems they've chosen to go in a different direction."
"Sometimes, from the outside looking in, it seems like it's 100% my decision, but it's not always in my hands. It's been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. My ambition is clear: I think I'm good enough, and I want to go out and prove it."
Arne Slot on Caoimhin Kelleher's future at the club, following his comments about wanting to be a "number one":
"I would be really worried if a player came out and said I don't care about playing first-team football.
It's normal they want to play, and it's also normal for a… pic.twitter.com/z9dqToNQps
— Football Xtra™ (@FootballXtra0) September 13, 2024
Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest this weekend, and, like clockwork, Slot was asked about his keeper's future in his press conference.
Slot claimed that Kelleher wanting to play football is something that shouldn’t be alien to people. The Dutchman said that Kelleher wanting the opposite outcome would be very strange to him.
"I would be really worried if a player came out and said, "I don’t care about playing first-team football; I like it so much on the bench and want to stay there for the rest of my life." That would be a bigger worry for me," he said to reporters on Friday
However, Slot confirmed that Alisson Becker will remain as number one despite Kelleher's desire to play more.
"But at this moment, it is quite clear that Alisson is the number one. He is handling the situation really well," added Slot.
Liverpool take on Forest tomorrow at 3 p.m.
