Liverpool manager Arne Slot says “it’s normal” for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to want to play but Alisson will remain as the club’s number one.
Kelleher, 25, has made 47 appearances for Liverpool since his debut in 2019 but is looking to move, with the Reds signing Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season.
During the international break the Republic of Ireland player said he was ready to leave Anfield to be a first-choice player elsewhere.
Speaking before the visit of Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Slot said: “I would be really worried if a player came out and said ‘I don’t care about playing first-team football.’ It’s normal they want to play and it’s also normal for a club like this to have more than 11 players who want to play.
“It’s a good place to be and he’s shown many times that he’s ready whenever we need him.
“It’s a good thing he wants to play. Who knows if he’ll play for us in the future, but it’s quite clear that Alisson is the number one for this moment.”
Save after save after save.
Take a bow, Caoimhin Kelleher 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Hjq9gXh4lK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 26, 2024
Slot says new signing Federico Chiesa could be involved against Forest, and Alexis Mac Allister is fit, but midfielder Harvey Elliott is set to be out for several weeks after fracturing his foot while on England Under-21 duty.
“Harvey’s injury is, of course, not a just big disappointment for him but also for us,” said Slot.
“He didn’t play a lot in the first three games but he showed himself really well in pre-season. He would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures but that goes to someone else. It’s a blow for us and for him. We play seven games in 22 days or something like that.”
