Q&ACaoimhin Kelleher on Liverpool's 'fire in the belly', UCL nights and Alonso memories

A 2-1 comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday moved the Reds to the Premier League summit with 25 points from a possible 30.

Arne Slot’s men also hold a 100 per cent record in the Champions League’s league phase after victories against AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig to date.

Next up in Europe is a meeting with Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen at Anfield on Tuesday night – and Kelleher previewed the occasion at a press conference this afternoon.

Read the goalkeeper’s Q&A with the media in full below…

On the mindset and atmosphere within the squad, and his own confidence…

I think like you say, the group is obviously in a good place at the moment. Things are going well for the team, and for myself personally as well. Obviously [I’m] playing some games now so confidence is high. We’re very happy but we’re obviously focused on keep performing and keep getting wins as well.

On how equipped Liverpool are to challenge in the Premier League and Champions League...

We came close last year, obviously just fell off in the Premier League towards the end, but those experiences were obviously big for us as well. We have kind of kept pretty much the same squad as last season as well, so we have those experiences. Obviously it’s a bit more fire in the belly as well for us. The Champions League is the Champions League, it’s one of the biggest competitions. The motivation is always there and we have always done well in this competition, so the motivation is there to do well in both.

On his own future and whether he is thinking about it at the moment…

Not with my thinking at the moment, to be honest, no. It’s quite early on in the season. My focus is on playing well; if I’m thinking about the future and different things like that, it’s not going to help my game. I need to be clear mentally to play well. So, that’s not coming into my thinking at the moment, to be honest.

On this game being his possible first Champions League appearance at Anfield in front of a crowd…

Yeah, it will be quite cool. Obviously I’ve been here and experienced quite a few nights of Champions League. I didn’t play obviously but I was here. The atmosphere is always electric on European nights. It’ll be a special moment tomorrow and one I’m looking forward to, for sure.

On working with new goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte…

He’s been really good. I’m loving working with him, to be honest. He really works hard and puts a lot of work into us, trying to improve us individually. He’s really a great guy, he’s really into the details and stuff. He’s very good and I’m really enjoying working with him.

On what he knows of Alonso’s time at Liverpool as a player…

Yeah, of course. Obviously I remember watching him. He was obviously a class player when he was here and then went to Real Madrid as well. I have good memories of him. His passing range was outrageous. Obviously good memories.

• Training photos: Liverpool prepare for Leverkusen clash in Champions League

On the reception Alonso will receive and it not getting in the way of the team’s focus…

I know Liverpool fans will obviously give him a great reception. But the focus for us really is on getting the result and making sure he goes home not too happy!

On his view of the new Champions League format…

I think it’s a bit different. I personally quite like it. Playing different teams each occasion is kind of cool and you’re going away to different stadiums as well, which is nice. It’s good. It’s harder to probably prepare for games because previously you’d play against them once and then you’d know how to play against them. But it’s a good experience and obviously cool to play a few more teams as well.