Liverpool transfers: Arne Slot RESPONDS to Caoimhin Kelleher's outspoken comments

Arne Slot was inevitably asked about Caoimhin Kelleher's situtation in his press conference on Friday morning.

Slot has of course received plenty of praise during his Liverpool reign so far having overseen a perfect start to the Premier League season, but a huge chunk of the admiration directed towards him is how well he addresses the media - and the way he dealt with being asked about Kelleher's desire for first-team football was undoubtedly no different.

Whilst on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, Kelleher expressed his desires to leave the club in a bid to seek regular first-team football and that the decision to remain at Anfield this season wasn't down to him.

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"Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like that's 100% my decision but at times it's not always in my hands," Kelleher stated.

No one can blame the Irishman for wanting to secure a No.1 spot somewhere as whenever he's been called upon for Liverpool, he's demonstrated with aplomb how good he can be. The only problem the Irishman has at Anfield is that the best goalkeeper in the world stands in his way.

When asked about Kelleher's wishes, Slot's commendable response outlined he'd be more worried if any of his players would settle for a place on the bench.

"I’d be really worried if a player comes out saying, ‘I don’t care about playing first-team football, I like it so much on the bench and I want to stay there for the rest of my life'.

“That would be a bigger worry for me. It’s normal that they want to play. But it is also normal that a club like this – that tries to compete for trophies – has more than 11 players that can play.

“As long as they accept their situation, not accepting it in a way that ‘I don’t care I’m not playing’, but accepting it by helping the team whenever they have to, then it is a good place to be in.

“I think Caoimh has shown many times in the past few years, and even in pre-season, that he’s ready every time we need him.

“It is a good thing he wants to play. Who knows, he’s going to play for us in the future, but at this moment it is quite clear Alisson is our No.1," Slot commented.

Mamardashvili could pave way for Kelleher exit

Liverpool agreed a deal with Valencia to bring Giorgi Mamardashvili to Anfield next summer after the goalkeeper caught the eyes of Europe with Georgia at Euro 2024.

Mamardashvili is seen as a future Alisson Becker successor but his arrival could also finally open the door for Kelleher to depart and achieve his desire of playing regular first-team football.

The Georgian will likely have to settle as Alisson's cover at the beginning of his Reds career with the Brazilian openly admitting he has snubbed offers from Saudi Arabia to remain at Liverpool for at least the remainder of his current contract.