Caoimhin Kelleher may be focused on his international duties with Ireland but his situation with Liverpool remains a cause for concern.
Kelleher was one of the few bright lights in Ireland's Nations League loss to England but looks set to struggle for competitive minutes at club level again this season.
The Cork native, who will be 26 in November, still finds himself playing back-up to club legend Alisson Becker at the League Cup champions after the summer transfer window shut.
He has been routinely linked with a move away from Anfield for some time now, and recent transfer developments at the club have led to more question marks about Kelleher's long-term position at the club.
Liverpool recently completed the signing of Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili, immediately loaning the 23-year-old back to Valencia. Mamardashvili has been Valencia's first-choice keeper for several years now and starred in Georgia's run to the knockout stages of EURO 2024.
Kelleher had his busiest and best campaign with the The Reds last campaign, featuring more than expected due to injury to Alisson and undoubtedly boosted his price-tag in the process.
However, the signing of Mamardashvili is hardly a big endorsement of the Irishman going into next season and beyond.
Caoimhin Kelleher speaks on Liverpool future
The Ireland star has reportedly been the subject of numerous rejected bids from Nottingham Forest and others Premier League sides are said to have shown an interest in him.
Kelleher was asked about his future with the club ahead of Ireland's Nations League meeting with Greece on Tuesday and was clear in his intention to play football on a weekly basis.
4 June 2024; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He admitted that the situation under new boss Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy has been beyond his control.
I made it clear in the last few years I want to go be a number one and play week in, week out," Kelleher said.
"The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper. From the outside looking in, looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.
"My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a number one.
"Sometimes from the outside looking in, it looks like it is 100 per cent my decision but at times it is not always in my hands."
Asked again, he doubled down on his desire to be a number one at a club while giving reference to the multiple reported bids made for him during the transfer window.
'My mission was to go out and play, and be a number one," Kelleher said.
"It has been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids as well.
"It is not always in my hands to make the decision. My ambition is to prove I am good enough to play week in, week out."
A frustrating situation for a player who could really do with more time on the pitch as he enters his prime years.
He did, however, show few signs of rust against England and is the least of Ireland's worries as they look at trying to find a winning formula against Greece this week.
