SLOT WELCOMES KELLEHER’S AMBITION BUT ALISSON REMAINS NO. 1

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to Caoimhin Kelleher’s desire for more first-team football, stating that he would be concerned if the goalkeeper didn’t want to play regularly. While Kelleher expressed his frustration at being a backup to Alisson and his ambitions to play more, Slot underlined that Alisson remains his clear first choice.

The Republic of Ireland international had been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest over the past two transfer windows, but Liverpool held onto him. Despite the club signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who could eventually replace Alisson as Liverpool’s future No. 1, Slot praised Kelleher’s professionalism. “I would be really worried if a player came out and said, ‘I don’t care about playing first-team football’… It is normal they want to play but also normal that a club as big as this – trying to compete for trophies – has more than 11 players that can play,” Slot said.

Slot acknowledged that while Kelleher might want more opportunities, he has proven himself reliable when called upon, adding, “It is a good thing that he wants to play. And who knows, he is going to play for us in the future. But at this moment it is quite clear that Alisson is the No. 1.”

In other team news, Slot is optimistic that Alexis Mac Allister will be fit for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest. However, he confirmed that Harvey Elliott will be sidelined for several weeks with a broken foot, a significant blow for the young midfielder.

Slot expressed disappointment over Elliott’s injury, saying, “Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but also for us… If he had stayed fit, he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else.”

New signing Federico Chiesa, who arrived from Juventus, could make his debut against Nottingham Forest, although Slot hinted that the winger may not yet be match-ready. “Federico has trained with the team now three or four times… [I will decide] if I choose for a position or I choose the fittest at the moment,” Slot said.

With Liverpool about to embark on a congested run of seven games in 22 days, Slot acknowledged the need for squad rotation, a potential adjustment from his time at Feyenoord where he often relied on a consistent lineup. “It is a different league so I might have to adjust to that,” he explained, highlighting the importance of monitoring the players’ fitness levels during this busy period.

As Liverpool enters this challenging stretch, Slot will need to balance his squad carefully, ensuring both the team’s competitive edge and the fitness of key players like Alisson, Kelleher, and Chiesa.