Liverpool coach Arne Slot should be WORRIED by Caoimhin Kelleher howler | OneFootball

Caoimhin Kelleher hasn’t pulled his punches regarding wanting to be a starting goalkeeper.

During the last international break he responded to questioning stating that he wanted to play ‘week in week out’, and he wasn’t best pleased at Liverpool’s signing of Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Coupled with Liverpool rejecting a bid from Nottingham Forest in the summer, it is clear that Liverpool are prioritising their needs over the player’s.

Read more: Liverpool have now got a 16-year-old striking SENSATION

Kelleher has got another extended stint between the sticks as Alisson reportedly faces six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Similar to last season, Kelleher will want to use this opportunity to put himself in the shop window.

The Corkman has also established himself as the Republic of Ireland’s number one. A string of good performances for the national side has helped his stock.

And he was on his way to another fine display on Sunday during the UEFA Nations League clash against Greece, picking up the broadcaster's man of the match award, before an error on his part in the 91st minute killed the game stone dead.

'When will Ireland players learn?'

Speaking on RTÉ, ex-Liverpool star Ray Houghton, who had awarded Kelleher the honour, said, "After doing so well for the rest of the game, Kelleher, you’ve just got to clear your lines.

"When will Ireland players learn? You can’t all play out from the back, sometimes you’ve got to play the ball downfield. A really poor, loose pass from him, unlike the way he’s played tonight.”

Out of his 18-yard box and trying to push his team up the pitch as they chased a 1-0 deficit to Greece, Kelleher misread the play and passed a ball straight to Petros Mantalos, who subsequently rounded him and made it 2-0 to Piratiko.

The reference to 'playing out from the back' is particularly pertinent, especially in light of these comments from Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, who worked under Arne Slot.

"When the coach arrived, we had a completely different philosophy at the club. Playing football from the back was not our thing. The professionalism, with everything around it, has improved a lot. The coach played a big part in that," he told De Telegraaf.

Does Kelleher have what it takes to play 'Slot-ball' during his extended run in the team?

Is Kelleher mistake-prone?

Kelleher otherwise played well on the night, making five saves to keep Ireland in the game, particularly in the first half.

Greece’s opening goal took a wicked deflection off defender Liam Scales to render Kelleher’s chance of saving it low.

However, the mistake is a timely reminder for Liverpool fans that, despite the top-level shot-stopping that Kelleher has displayed, he also has mistakes in him.

With a crucial period coming up over the next six weeks for Liverpool in which they play Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Kelleher can be nothing short of perfect if Liverpool are serious about a title challenge.

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