Caoimhin Kelleher on changes, targets and Arne Slot’s impact so far

The No.62 arrived on Merseyside in 2015 and has gone on to make 47 senior appearances to date, 26 of which have come in the last term.

Kelleher is among the players who began pre-season work for 2024-25 last week, with both a new head coach in Arne Slot and now a change in the goalkeeping department with the appointment of Fabian Otte.

“It’s been really good, really enjoyable,” the Republic of Ireland international told Liverpoolfc.com of life under Slot at the AXA Training Center so far.

“Obviously the first few days were just tests and stuff, then we got into the actual training sessions, which were really good.

“(Slot) has been excellent so far. A lot of details about what he wants us to do, it’s a lot to take on board, but he gets his messages across very well and easy to understand as well, which is helpful. His sessions are intense and he pushes us, which is always good.

“It’s been really enjoyable so far, I must say.”

Last campaign saw the Reds lift the Carabao Cup – with Kelleher between the posts for the final at Wembley – and secure a return to Champions League football with a third-place finish in the Premier League.

And he is confident the foundations are there for Liverpool to build on next season.

“The bones of the team are still there and we want to continue,” said the 25-year-old. “It’s not a rebuild or anything like that, it’s just finding those extra things that can hopefully push us and get us over the line to win a few more trophies.

“(My goals are) really similar to last year. Obviously, we had a lot of games last season, which was really good. So I’m looking for you to do the same and keep the same level of performance.”

A smile forms on Kelleher’s face as he thinks about the teenager who first walked through the club’s doors nine years ago.

“Obviously it’s been so long since I was 16. Time flies, I’ve enjoyed every minute here to be fair,” he said.

“I just want to try to continue and go on that upward trajectory. It was really enjoyable and I’m looking to continue.”

Senior personnel shake-up in the summer included the departure of goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, who Kelleher worked with throughout his time at the Reds.

Otte has since been recruited as head of first-team goalkeeping training and has cut short his summer break to start at Kirkby after working with the USA at the Copa America.

Kelleher added: “Obviously having worked with John for so many years and holding him in such high regard, I thought he was excellent.

“It’s great that Fabian has come in now. It looks very good, very interesting, and full of energy, which is good. And it probably brings some new ideas as well, which is interesting and good for goalies to experiment, to get different opinions on things.

“It’s new and exciting, so I’m looking forward to it.”