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Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has admitted the time was right for him to leave the Reds - after he made the £18million switch to Brentford earlier this summer.

Kelleher departed Arne Slot's men back in June to sign for the Bees in a deal worth £12.5m plus a potential £5.5m in add-ons.

The Republic of Ireland international, who had been at Liverpool for a decade following a move from Ringmahon Rangers, made 67 first-team appearances for the Reds.

Last season, Kelleher featured 20 times in all competitions and played 10 matches in the Premier League as the Reds lifted the title for the second time in five years.

But, after Giorgi Mamardashvili made the £29m move from Valencia, Kelleher decided that the time was right to leave now.

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Speaking in an interview with The Telegraph ahead of Brentford's first game of the season - at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon - Kelleher said: "The summer before I came close-ish to leaving [Liverpool].

"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.

"So, I was just focusing on last season trying to do well and play well.

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"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."

Mamardashvili's arrival, coupled alongside no sign of Alisson leaving, sealed the deal for Kelleher.

The fact he had 12 months left on his contract was another potential factor behind his move to Brentford.

As well as that, Kelleher also revealed that he had been looking to leave Liverpool for "the last number of years" as he wanted to become an established No.1 - something that didn't end up happening at the Reds.

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"Maybe it looks like that," Kelleher added.

"To be fair, 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."

For the last couple of years, Kelleher had been called the best second-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League by some fans and pundits alike - a statement that Kelleher was very much aware about.

"Of course, you hear that kind of stuff," Kelleher said.

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"Listen, I think it’s a nice compliment, obviously, up to a point.

"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.
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