Why Juventus showed ruthless streak after allowing Adrien Rabiot Allianz stadium exit bu this would….
If Liverpool had accepted Nottingham Forest’s offer for Caoimhin Kelleher, the Irishman would be lining up in their goal on Saturday at Anfield instead of sitting on the Reds’ bench.
Liverpool rejected a second cash plus player offer just before the summer transfer window closed, following up on the first Forest bid they knocked back in January. Kelleher, 25, has broken his silence on his future while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland and stated he wants to be a No 1 at another Premier League club.
He can see he has no future at Liverpool with Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili signed from Valencia and arriving next summer. Kelleher had hoped to go this summer after making 26 appearances for the Reds and lifting his second Carabao Cup, mainly in place of the injured Alisson.
But Liverpool showed their ruthless streak and they were not prepared to cash in on him because his sale would have left them without an experienced No 2 for this most-hectic of seasons. Instead they will let Kelleher leave next summer when his value will be diminished because he will only have a year left on his contract.
But that £10million or so loss in his transfer value is small beer for Liverpool if Kelleher deputises as well for Alisson as he did last season. It’s hard not to feel sorry for Kelleher, but ultimately Liverpool feel they must put their own interests first.
Arne Slot said this when he commented on Kelleher’s situation before Liverpool’s last game against Manchester United. “Maybe [he has to think of himself], but we have to make decisions as well,” said the Liverpool head coach.
“It’s not only the player. If you work at a club like Liverpool, you need competition and you need a lot of good players. Like I said, Mamardashvili is someone for the long-term future of the club and I’m really, really happy with the goalkeepers we have at the moment.
“Caoimhin is one of them and Ali. We’re in a good place when it comes to goalkeepers for now and for the long term.” Kelleher made clear he is not happy being No 2 for another season when he spoke before the Republic’s Nations League game against Greece.
“I made it clear in the last few years, I want to go be a No1 and play week in, week out,” he said. “The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve made a decision to go in another direction.
“My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a No 1. “My mission was to go out and play, and be a No 1. It’s been reported that Liverpool rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to make the decision. My ambition is to prove I’m good enough to play week in, week out.”
