- Kelleher has been No 2 to goalkeeper Alisson at Liverpool for last few seasons
- He spoke out after Liverpool signed Georgia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he understands the frustrations of Caoimhin Kelleher Kelleher after the Irish goalkeeper this week said the decision for him to remain at Anfield was ‘not 100 per cent’ his decision.
Kelleher, 25, said that he had made it clear that his desire was to go elsewhere and fight to be a No 1. Speaking at a Republic of Ireland press conference, the shot-stopper added the Reds’ signing of Georgia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili hinted the club ‘wanted to go another way’.
Liverpool rejected a late, lowball approach from Nottingham Forest for Kelleher both in January and the summer window. But Slot does not mind Kelleher’s comments and says he would be concerned if he said he did not want to play every week when quizzed on this.
‘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”,’ said Slot. ‘That would be a bigger worry for me.
‘It is normal they want to play but also normal that a club as big as this – trying to compete for trophies – has more than 11 players. As long as they accept their situation – not accept in a way that they don’t care but accept it in a way that they can help the team whenever they have to.
Arne Slot (pictured) has admitted that he understands the frustrations of Caoimhin Kelleher
The Liverpool goalkeeper (pictured) made it known while on international duty that he wants to leave the club
He has played No 2 to first-choice stopper Alisson (centre) for the last few years at Anfield
‘This is a good place to be in. Caoimhin has shown many times in the past few years and even in pre-season that he is ready when we need him. It is a good thing that he wants to play. And who knows, he is going to play for us in the future.
‘But at this moment it is quite clear that Alisson is the No 1. Normal situation for a player not playing to want to play but he is handling the situation really well.’
Liverpool will be without midfielder Harvey Elliott for Saturday’s home clash against Nottingham Forest – both teams are unbeaten this season – and Slot added: ‘Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but also for us. He will work as hard as always to come back.’
Slot will, though, be boosted by the return of fellow English midfielder Curtis Jones after a minor groin injury. New signing Federico Chiesa, who arrived for £10m from Juventus in the last days of August, has trained several times over the international break and is available for selection.