Arne Slot has given a sincere reflection on Caoimhin Kelleher’s departure, admitting the Irish goalkeeper made the right choice in leaving Liverpool to pursue regular first-team football.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Brentford this weekend, the Dutch manager discussed the upcoming reunion with Kelleher and explained why the move was best for the player.
The 26-year-old joined Brentford over the summer in a deal worth up to £18 million, ending his 10-year stay at Anfield. Upon leaving, Kelleher shared a heartfelt farewell, expressing gratitude to the club’s staff, teammates, and fans for “helping shape me into the man I am today,” adding that Liverpool would “always hold a special place in my heart.”
Offering his own view, Slot told reporters:
> “Maybe goalkeepers are a bit different, but generally, it’s not healthy for a player to spend more than a year on the bench or miss out on regular games. It’s really hard to keep giving everything every day in that situation.
For Caoimh, it was the right moment to move on and start playing consistently—and he’s proving it was the right decision because he’s performing really well.”
Slot’s comments come as part of a wider pattern of fringe players moving on under his management, with Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott among those seeking regular minutes elsewhere.
Kelleher has made an immediate impact at Brentford, earning praise for his composure and leadership at the back.
Injury Update Ahead of Brentford
Slot also shared some concerning team news, confirming that Jeremie Frimpong is “not in a good place” due to a hamstring injury and will be out “for a while.”
He added that there are fitness doubts over Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch, while Alisson remains unavailable.
> “Alex isn’t too bad — he’s a question mark for the weekend, same with Ryan,” Slot said. “Alisson won’t be in the squad tomorrow either, and that one will take a bit longer.”
The upcoming match will no doubt be an emotional one for Kelleher, who made 67 appearances for Liverpool, kept eight clean sheets, and lifted both the FA Cup and League Cup.
Slot’s words reflect the mutual respect that still exists between Liverpool and one of their most admired academy graduates — even as they meet now on opposing sides.
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