• The Merseyside club reportedly turned down approaches from Premier League rivals for Kelleher’s services this summer.
•For his country, the injury to Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu has led to Kelleher’s promotion to the number one jersey.
Image: FILE
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher said he wants to leave Anfield to prove himself, with the club seemingly having chosen to go “in a different direction”.
The Republic of Ireland international, who was speaking before his country’s Nations League game with Greece in Dublin on Tuesday night, made 26 appearances for Liverpool last season after injury to first-choice keeper Alisson Becker.
New manager Arne Slot has, however, made a move to sign Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia in a deal worth up to £29m, with the 23-year-old due to arrive in time for the 2025-26 season.
“I’ve made it clear in the last few years that I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,” said Kelleher.
“The club’s made that decision to get another goalkeeper and from the outside looking in, it looks like they’ve decided to go in a different direction.”
The Merseyside club reportedly turned down approaches from Premier League rivals for Kelleher’s services this summer.
“Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like that’s 100% my decision but at times it’s not always in my hands,” he added.
“It’s been reported that Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. My ambition is clear that I think I’m good enough and I want to go out and prove it.”
For his country, the injury to Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu has led to Kelleher’s promotion to the number one jersey.
The 25-year-old performed well in the 2-0 defeat to England at Aviva Stadium on Saturday but took little satisfaction from his showing given the result in what was Heimir Hallgrimsson's first game in charge
“I had a few saves to make and was able to help the team but it’s not about that, it’s about the team and getting the right results for the country.
“Personally, happy with my performance but we need to perform as a team and it’s a big game on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to be out for at least three weeks with an ankle injury, according to Norway's team doctor.
Ola Sand said there is "probably no fracture" to Odegaard's left ankle, which he injured while playing for Norway on Monday, but added that an absence of less than three weeks would be "just a bonus".
Odegaard limped off during Norway's Nations League win over Austria and on Tuesday the 25-year-old midfielder returned to London, where he underwent an MRI scan.
Arsenal have said that manager Mikel Arteta will provide an update during his news conference on Friday, before Sunday's North London derby at Tottenham.
But Norway's team doctor Sand said: "Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus and then it can take longer.
"What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.
"Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but this may still take some time. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus."
If Odegaard is out for three weeks he would miss five games for Arsenal, including next Thursday's Champions League game away to Atalanta and their Premier League game at title rivals Manchester City on 22 September.
The Gunners will also be without two other midfielders for Sunday's north London derby as Declan Rice is suspended while summer signing Mikel Merino is sidelined with a fractured shoulder.
Fellow summer signing Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful after the Italy defender was forced off during Friday's Nations League match against France with a calf problem, but striker Gabriel Jesus could soon be back in contention following a groin problem.