Liverpool player publicly demands transfer after club signs £30m replacement
Caoimhin Kelleher has told Liverpool he wants to leave after the club signed a £30million replacement for his role.
The goalkeeper has been a substitute Alisson Becker and it seems the club has no long-term plans to make him number one.
This summer, Liverpool He signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia and the 23-year-old will arrive next summer.
Kelleher described his ambitions to be number one in a team.
The Reds rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest this summer and the Ireland international claimed it was out of his control if he stayed at Anfield.
“I've made it clear over the last few years that I want to be number one and play week in, week out,” said Kelleher, speaking ahead of his match with Greece.
“The club made the decision to sign another goalkeeper (Giorgi Mamardashvili). From the outside, it seems that they have made the decision to go in another direction.
“My ambition has always been clear in recent seasons: I want to be number one, playing week after week.
“Sometimes, looking at it from the outside, it seems like it is 100 percent my decision, but sometimes it is not always in my hands.”
Asked about his mindset heading into the summer, he said: “My mission was to go out and play and be number one.
“Liverpool have also reportedly rejected some offers. It is not always up to me to make the decision. My ambition is to prove that I am good enough to play week in, week out.”
With Mamardashvili not due to arrive until next summer, it could prove difficult to explore a move away from Liverpool in the winter transfer window.
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“I'm not sure, to be honest, it's a quick turnaround as the window closed last week, there were a few rejected offers in the summer,” he said.
“I don't know if that will be discussed again in January, maybe, those discussions need to take place in the next few months, but for the next few months I will be committed to Liverpool.”
The 25-year-old has played 47 times for Liverpool, winning the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and two League Cups.
Kelleher will play for Ireland in his League of Nations clash with Greece on Tuesday night.
Liverpool number one Alisson turned down interest from Saudi Arabia this summer to stay at Anfield.
The club's signing of a long-term replacement could indicate that a move elsewhere could be on the horizon.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy He told talkSPORT: “They are planning for the future. I don't know what is happening with Alisson, but it seems they are being proactive in finding his replacement.
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“I was lucky enough to see him at the Euros and he was incredible. He has great presence, he is a good goalkeeper and good with his feet. I think it was a great deal to have signed him.”
“He's a great goalkeeper.”
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan added: “I would never have thought a £30m goalkeeper would be a priority. It's not a huge amount, but it's not a small amount either.”
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