Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher has admitted he may have to leave Liverpool to achieve his dream of becoming a first-choice goalkeeper.
The 25-year-old, who started for Ireland in Saturday’s 2-0 Nations League defeat by England, is currently number two at Anfield behind Alisson Becker, but with Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili due to arrive on Merseyside next summer, his future appears to be up in the air.
Asked about his situation at Ireland’s pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Greece, Kelleher said: “I made it clear in the last few years I want to go be a number one and play week in, week out.
“The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, 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 number one.
“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.”
Kelleher, a two-time Carabao Cup winner with the Reds, deputised ably for Alisson last season after the Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury, and made 26 appearances in total.
He was linked with a move away in January and then again during the summer, when Nottingham Forest reportedly had a series of bids rejected.
Asked how close he came to leaving the Reds during the summer, Kelleher said: “My mission was to go out and play, and be a number one.
“It has been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids as well. It is not always in my hands to make the decision. My ambition is to prove I am good enough to play week in, week out.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here