Caoimhin Kelleher makes 'crazy' Liverpool admission and lifts lid on 'massive change'
Caoimhin Kelleher admits Liverpool are having to compete to a "crazy" standard for the Premier League title as he explained why momentum is continuing under new head coach Arne Slot. Slot has enjoyed the best start of any Reds boss having won nine of his first 10 games in charge, with Liverpool a point clear at the Premier League summit, into the last 16 of the League Cup and having won their opening two Champions League games.
The Reds finished third behind champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal last season, with the three widely touted to challenge for the title once again this campaign.
And Kelleher - who is poised for another lengthy spell in the starting line-up with Alisson Becker sidelined for at least six weeks with a hamstring tear - acknowledges Liverpool have to maintain their strong opening if they are to keep pace with last season's top two.
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"The standard is crazy at the moment," said the goalkeeper. "You have City and Arsenal who have shown in the last few seasons they are title contenders, and we’re trying to match them.
“But you look at the schedule and every game is a difficult game and that just shows the standard of the league. You can’t relax or take your foot off the pedal in any games because you won’t get the result you want.
“We need to be ambitious, we definitely have the quality within the squad to challenge for a title. It’s easy saying that – you need to obviously back it up.
“If we want to compete we need to be on a similar level to them (City and Arsenal) and keep these performances up and, most importantly, keep the results up.”
Kelleher is presently with the Republic of Ireland squad preparing for their UEFA Nations League clash in Greece on Sunday. The 25-year-old has already featured twice for Liverpool this season under Slot and believes the Reds have benefited from retaining most of the squad who featured last term under Jurgen Klopp.
“There was a massive change for us, the manager leaving and a lot of the staff and coaches as well," he said. "But I think important for us and the squad of players was that there weren’t too many changes in the squad of players.
“We all know what it’s about, we came close to the league last year so there is that high motivation already to go that one step further. I think that makes it easier for the new manager coming in, that he inherits a squad full of quality.
“Like he has been saying, there’s a lot of quality within the squad and a lot of experience and motivation to go that one step further.”
Kelleher added: "You need to be open to that change (in the coaching staff) as well, it’s a fresh start for everyone and you’re trying to get off on a good foot and start the relationship well.
“He has come in and really tried to speak to all the players and get to know us all. As time goes on, that relationship will get better and better. He is really putting in an effort to get to know all the players, which is all you can ask.”