Caoimhin Kelleher wants to leave Liverpool after making desire extremely clear
Liverpool's backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has expressed his desire to exit Anfield after the club turned down several offers for him during the summer transfer window.
Despite accumulating 26 appearances across all competitions last season, largely due to Alisson Becker's injury woes, the 25-year-old Irishman has been playing second string to the Brazilian. His aspirations to leave grew stronger following Jurgen Klopp's departure in May, with Kelleher eager to secure regular first-team football.
Brighton, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest were interested in Kelleher before the Aug. 30 transfer deadline. And Liverpool's acquisition for Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia seemed to open the door for Kelleher's departure. Liverpool's new manager Arne Slot, though, decided to loan Mamardashvili back to Valencia for the season, which led to Kelleher staying put.
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After starting for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-0 loss to England on Saturday, Kelleher spoke about his future, stating: "I made it clear in the last few years, I want to go be a No.1 and play week in, week out. The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, it looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.
"My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a No.1, playing week in, week out. Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like it is 100 per cent my decision but at times, it is not always in my hands."
Liverpool's backup keeper is tied down until 2026, which suggests that next summer might be the club's final opportunity to cash in on him. It's understood Forest came in with an offer recently, but it didn't meet Liverpool's expectations.
Slot was clear about his intentions for Kelleher, stating: "Maybe [he has to think of himself], but we have to make decisions as well. It's not only the player. If you work at a club like Liverpool, you need competition and you need a lot of good players.
"Like I said, Mamardashvili is someone for the long-term future of the club and I'm really, really happy with the goalkeepers we have at the moment." Kelleher is expected to get his first game time this season in the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against West Ham on September 25.