'I had to leave Liverpool – Jurgen Klopp's comment wasn't what I wanted'

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Caoimhin Kelleher admitted Jurgen Klopp 's label of him being the 'world's best back-up goalkeeper' wasn't enough to stop him leaving Liverpool . The Irishman played 67 times for the reigning league champions across seven years but played second fiddle to Alisson Becker in his last three seasons at Anfield.

The 26-year-old was consistently reliable for Klopp and Arne Slot , having notably played in finals of the UEFA Super Cup and EFL Cup alongside impressive performances in the Premier League and Champions League.

A specialist in saving penalties, Kelleher holds the record for the most penalty shootout saves (6) and penalty shootout wins (4) in Liverpool history. Despite his accolades, being second choice to the Brazilian was not a role he desired, especially following the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili this past summer.

He departed the Reds for Brentford in a deal worth up to £18.5million with the chance to be a number one too enticing to resist. Kelleher had a huge fan in Klopp who gave him his professional debut at Anfield but the shot-stopper wasn't satisfied with the moniker the German gave to him after his stellar showing in the 2022 EFL Cup final victory against Chelsea .

Kelleher made several important saves during the match before going on to score the decisive penalty to hand Liverpool the trophy. After the match, the ex-Reds boss said: "Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me. There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane.

"But to be honest for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No. 2 goalie in the world as well. The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more. So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right.

"And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class." Despite Klopp's praise, Kelleher admitted to talkSPORT that it's not a label he desires as he said: "It's not a title I want - I want to be playing week in, week out."

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Kelleher picked up his first Premier League title last season but admitted in an interview following his arrival at Brentford that he almost left the Reds the season prior. "The summer before I came close-ish to leaving," the Ireland international said.

"Then throughout the whole season I was wanting to be a No.1 and obviously the next, and probably best time for me to move was going to be this summer. As it goes more towards the end of the season, you're thinking about the next year and the next season.

"It became apparent Brentford were interested in me - and I think once they registered their interest I was quite keen and things moved quite quickly then. It plays in the back of your mind the whole season. I wanted to be a No.1 and wanted to do that for this season.

"The last number of years, I was kind of more looking to get a move and to try being the No.1. So I don't think it was a big thing for me whether it was this season or not. But I think the time, with one year left, added up to be right and the club obviously needed to make a decision as well and needed to sell.

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"I played a lot last season and a lot the season before as well so I think, for me, the natural progression - and one that I've obviously been looking at for a number of years - is to be a No 1. I want to be that No.1 and show people that I'm quite a good No 1, as well."

Kelleher received motivation to leave Liverpool from Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson who said he's far too talented not to be a number one goalkeeper. It was in May earlier this year when the Icelander said: "I just want Caoimhin to go to a club where he will play. He has been playing at the highest level.

" Champions League , Premier League , done really well. I just want him to be happy and play regularly. I don't mind where he goes so long as he is playing on a regular basis, he is too good not to be playing.''

It's on Saturday when Kelleher will meet his old club for the first time since his exit as Brentford host Liverpool with the away side hoping to curb their three-game losing streak in the Premier League.

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