Arne Slot issues blunt response after Liverpool player demanded to leave the club during the international break

Arne Slot has offered a blunt response to a Liverpool player who suggested he wanted to leave the club while on international break.

Since taking over from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp over the summer, Slot has become popular amongst Liverpool fans for his brutal honesty.

In just a few months, the Dutchman has made headlines for blunt responses to Liverpool’s pursuit of Martin Zubimendi over the summer or for his brutal breakdown of Erik ten Hag’s style of play after beating Manchester United 3-0.

And now, Slot issued another cold response to a Liverpool player who seemed to suggest he was looking to leave the club in the near future.

While representing the Republic of Ireland on international duty, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher spoke to the media about how he would like to go elsewhere to be the number one goalkeeper.

Ahead of this weekend’s match against Nottingham Forest, Slot responded to the Irishman, saying: “Kelleher said he wants to leave? I would be worried if a player came out and said he loved it on the bench and wants to stay there for the rest of his life!”

Kelleher’s comments came from a press conference ahead of Ireland’s 2-0 loss to Greece on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old said: “I made it clear in the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be a number one. The club has made that decision to get a goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) which makes it look like they’ve made a decision to go another direction.

Caoimhin Kelleher has made 47 appearances for Liverpool. (Image: Getty)

“Liverpool have rejected a few bids as well. It’s not always in my hands to fully make the decision. My ambition is clear. I’m good enough & I want to go and play week in, week out.”

Several clubs were reportedly interested in signing Kelleher during the previous summer transfer window, including Nottingham Forest who submitted a rejected bid of £7million plus American keeper Matt Turner.

Liverpool ultimately decided to keep hold of the Irishman, however, having signed Giorgi Mamardashvili over the summer, it would make sense for Kelleher to move on once the Georgian keeper returns from a loan to former club Valencia at the end of this season.