Liverpool man publicly demands transfer after club sign £30m replacement in his position

Caoimhin Kelleher has told Liverpool he wants to leave after the club signed a £30million replacement in his position.

The goalkeeper has been back-up to Alisson Becker and it seems the club do not have any long-term plans to make him number one.

Getty

This summer, Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia and the 23-year-old will arrive next summer.

Kelleher outlined his ambitions to be the number one in a team.

The Reds knocked back a bid from Nottingham Forest this summer and the Ireland international asserted it was out of his control whether he stayed at Anfield.

I made it clear in the last few years I want to go be a number one and play week in, week out,” said Kelleher, speaking ahead of their game with Greece.

“The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper [Giorgi Mamardashvili]. 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, playing week in, week out.

“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.”

When asked about his mindset going into the summer, he 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.”

With Mamardashvili not arriving until next summer, there could be some difficultly in exploring a move away from Liverpool in the winter transfer window.

Getty

“I am not sure, to be honest, it’s a quick turnaround since the window closed last week, there was some bids rejected in the summer,” he said.

“I don’t know if that will get revisited in January maybe, them discussions need to be had in the coming 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 feature for Ireland in their Nations League clash with Greece on Tuesday night.

For Liverpool number one Alisson, he rejected Saudi Arabia interest this summer in order to stay at Anfield.

The club signing a long-term replacement could indicate that a move elsewhere could be on the horizon.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told talkSPORT: “They’re planning ahead. I don’t know what’s going on with Alisson, but it seems they are being proactive in finding his replacement.

Getty

“I was fortunate to see him [Mamardashvili] at the Euros and he was incredible. Big presence, good shotstopper and good with his feet. I think it’s a great bit of business to get him in.

“He’s a super ‘keeper.”

Ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan added: “I wouldn’t have thought a £30m goalkeeper would be a priority. That’s not huge money, but not a small amount of money either.”