NewsCaoimhin Kelleher: We have the quality and motivation to challenge

Having won six of their seven top-flight matches under Arne Slot, the Reds sit top of the table during the October international break.

Manchester City and Arsenal, who have finished first and second respectively in each of the last two campaigns, are both one point behind Slot’s side and Kelleher said: “Obviously the standard is crazy at the moment. 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.

“I think the quality right throughout the league is really good, and I think personally [it’s] the best league in the world.

“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.”

Across all competitions, Slot has overseen an impressive record of nine victories and just one defeat since succeeding Jürgen Klopp in the summer.

On how the head coach has presided over such a smooth transition to date, Kelleher continued: “Obviously there was a massive change for us, the manager leaving and a lot of the staff and coaches as well. 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.”

And Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher is enjoying the experience of playing under Slot.

He stated: “Obviously you need to be open to that change 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.”