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• 'I want to be a number one' – Kelleher eyes Liverpool departure

  Caoimhin Kelleher is ready to leave Liverpool in search of first-team football.

  Kelleher, 25, has been Alisson's back-up for several seasons at Anfield, though did play in some big games during Jurgen Klopp's time in charge.

  That included starring in the EFL Cup final against Chelsea in 2022.

  However, with Liverpool having signed Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will join next season, Kelleher believes the time is right to move on.

  And the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper suggested he could have left this summer, if Liverpool had not rejected offers.

  "I made it clear in the last few years I want to go be a number one and play week in, week out," said Kelleher ahead of Ireland's Nations League clash with Greece.

  "The club made the decision to get another goalkeeper.

  "From the outside looking in, it looks like they have made a decision to go in another direction.

  "My ambition has always been clear the last few seasons that I want to be a number one, playing week in week out.

  "At times it is not always in my hands. My mission was to go out and play, and be a number one.

  "It has been reported that Liverpool had rejected a few bids as well. It is not always in my hands to make the decision. My ambition is to prove I am good enough to play week in, week out."

  Kelleher made seven saves from nine shots against England on Saturday, and could do little to prevent either Declan Rice or Jack Grealish scoring to hand the Three Lions a 2-0 win.

• 'I deserved it' – Rodrygo frustrated by Ballon d'Or shortlist omission

  Rodrygo believes he deserved to be in the reckoning for this year's Ballon d'Or, and thinks his versatility may have worked against him.

  The Real Madrid attacker was a notable omission from the shortlist of 30 names that was announced last week.

  The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and registered nine assists in 51 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions last season.

  However, while team-mates Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, new Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and even the now-retired Toni Kroos were nominated, Rodrygo was snubbed. 

  "I was upset, I think I deserved it," Rodrygo told ESPN.

  "I don't want to belittle the players who are there, I think they deserved it also.

  "But I think I had a place in the 30. It was a surprise but there is not much I can do as I'm not the one who decides these things."

   

  Rodrygo has played on the right flank and up front under Carlo Ancelotti, and he suggested that does not always get the best out of him.

  "Often, I'm just filling spaces," Rodrygo added.

  "Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as number nine? Rodrygo. That's it.

  "It may get in my way a little, but I'm a team player."

  Only three players – Ilkay Gundogan (211), Valverde (211) and Iago Aspas (193) – contributed to more shots in open play in LaLiga last season than Rodrygo (171), who created 80 chances for his team-mates.

• Ancelotti to continue coaching 'until the fire dies down'

  Carlo Ancelotti has no plans to call time on his illustrious coaching career, saying he will only leave the sport when he no longer feels nervous ahead of games.

  Ancelotti is one of the most decorated coaches in European football history, with his five Champions League titles as a manager being a competition record.

  The fifth of those triumphs came with Real Madrid in June as they beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium, having progressed through a series of dramatic ties earlier in the tournament.

  Los Blancos overcame Manchester City on penalties in the quarter-finals despite facing 33 shots on their goal in the second leg, a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

  They then salvaged victory from the jaws of defeat in the last four as Joselu scored twice – in the 88th and 91st minutes – to stun Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.

  Ancelotti so often appears an island of calm amid the chaos, but the Italian insists he still gets nervous ahead of big games and will do so until the day he retires.

  "A life without pressure or a little stress does not exist. Too much stress, no, but a little is fuel. The day I don't have excitement before a match is the day I have to stop," he said at the Mexico Siglo XXI event.

  "Before a match there is worry, there is a negative feeling thinking that it will not go well, that they will score a goal… When the match starts, everything stops.

  "So, you have to look for calm to handle the situations of the game. I will continue coaching until the fire I have for football dies down. 

  "Some great things have happened in my life, some difficult moments. My life has been normal. I have been lucky to have a job that is my passion. I am grateful to football for giving me that opportunity.

  "I still get nervous before a match, I feel pressure, and as long as that doesn't change I will continue here. I see myself coaching for a long time, yes."

  Ancelotti is known for involving his big-name players in his decision-making, and he says that collaborative approach has been key to his success.

  "It is very difficult to explain what a leader should be like. It is much more important to convince than to impose your opinion on them," he added.

  "A leader must have the ability to listen to those who work with you. They can always give you ideas that can help you. 

  "It is important to listen and not think that you know everything because you are the boss. You can always learn."