Liverpool understudy Caoimhin Kelleher wants to leave the club to become a first-choice goalkeeper, adding that new manager Arne Slot’s decision to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili is a “decision to go in a different direction”.
The 25-year-old’s first appearance of the season came in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 home defeat to England at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, having been on the bench for all three of his club’s opening Premier League matches.
“I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,” said Kelleher.
“The club’s made that decision to get another goalkeeper and, from the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve made a decision to go in a different direction.”
The Reds will add Georgia international Mamardashvili from Valencia from the start of next season in a deal worth £25 million plus a potential £4m in add-ons.
‘Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like that’s 100% my decision but at times it’s not always in my hands’
Caoimhín Kelleher confirms he was keen to leave Liverpool this summer but the club rejected a number of bids PIC.TWITTER.COM/XPZDYB6KRW
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Kelleher Liverpool stats
Cork-born Kelleher joined Liverpool’s academy in 2015 and made his debut in the EFL Cup in 2019.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gave Kelleher his Premier League debut in December 2020 in a 4-0 home win over Wolves.
The understudy to long-serving Anfield number one Alisson signed his current deal, which lasts until 2026, in June 2021.
He has conceded one goal in two Uefa Champions League appearances and played throughout eight of Liverpool’s 10 Europa League games last season on their run to the quarter-finals.
Kelleher’s finest performances for Liverpool have arguably come in the EFL Cup, converting the decisive penalty in their shootout victory over Chelsea in 2021-22 and keeping a clean sheet for a depleted side in a 1-0 win after extra time against the same opponents in February.
Liverpool won eight and drew two of the 10 Premier League matches Kelleher started in 2023-24.
“It’s been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well,” he said when he was asked about his future.
“My ambition is clear that I think I’m good enough and I want to go out and prove it.”
Liverpool teammates Trent and Kelleher swapped kits at full-time 🏴🤝🇮🇪 PIC.TWITTER.COM/QBZ38EBKQA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) SEPTEMBER 7, 2024
Kelleher Ireland career
First capped by Ireland at under-17 level as a 15-year-old, Kelleher made his senior debut in June 2021.
His competitive international bow came in a 1-0 defeat in Armenia in the Nations League in June 2022.
Ireland will seek their first clean sheet and goals under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson when they host Greece in the Nations League on Tuesday (7.45pm BST).
Kelleher is almost certain to start again in the absence of main rival Gavin Bazunu with an Achilles tendon injury.
