Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has brushed aside suggestions that his upcoming spell as the team’s No. 1 is an opportunity to showcase himself to potential suitors.
With first-choice keeper Alisson Becker sidelined until at least late November due to a hamstring injury sustained during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on October 5, Kelleher is set to step in for an important run of fixtures.
The Reds are facing a challenging seven-game stretch before the November international break, starting with Chelsea’s visit to Anfield on Sunday, followed by a Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
An away fixture at Arsenal on October 27 continues the run, with back-to-back games against Brighton – away in the Carabao Cup and at home in the Premier League – also on the horizon.
Liverpool will then host Bayer Leverkusen, managed by club legend Xabi Alonso, before wrapping up the period with a home match against Aston Villa.
Kelleher, who has been a reliable deputy for Alisson in recent seasons, is expected to play in all these fixtures, fitness permitting.
However, the Republic of Ireland international has downplayed speculation that this run of games could serve as an audition for interested clubs.
This comes after reports that Liverpool turned down late summer window interest from Nottingham Forest, fueling questions about Kelleher’s long-term future at the club.
“I am not looking at it as anything other than I have an opportunity to play a few games, so I want to do as well as I can,” Caoimhin Kelleher says.
“There is no point making this a bigger picture than it is. It is just me getting the opportunity to play some games.
“Obviously the team is doing quite well, I want to help the team keep winning in the league and the Champions League as well.
“That is my main ambition – to help the team and help myself by doing well.”
Liverpool announced before the transfer window closed that they have reached an agreement with Valencia to sign Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili for £29 million next year.
This move is set to intensify competition for Kelleher at Anfield.
The former Ringmahon Rangers shot-stopper expressed his frustration at not playing as regularly as he would like, stating that there were no discussions with club officials prior to the signing of Mamardashvili.
Caoimhin Kelleher added: “No conversations [about Mamardashvili signing], no. Like you say, that is next summer, so I am not thinking about that now.
“I am just concentrating on doing as well as I can now while I have these games.
“I think there’s going to be frustration at not playing week in and week out, that is clear.
“But with me, I obviously know from last year, there are opportunities to be playing here at the back of mind.
“I can’t just not be ready and not doing the right things because there will be times when you get an opportunity and a chance to play.
“So yeah, that was in the back of my mind and obviously there was some frustration but I have always been professional and I always will be and I need to be ready for whenever because if I am not ready then I am not doing myself justice.
“So I need to give myself the best chance when I do get the opportunities.”
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