Liverpool could sign former Manchester United star if forced to complete unwanted transfer
Considering in Alisson Liverpool boast an undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for both club and country, one of the very best shot-stoppers in the world and the reigning Premier League Golden Glove winner, it’s been a curious summer for the Reds so far between the sticks.
The Brazilian started the summer in goal as Liverpool were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United, with the lasting image of that pre-season outing being the sight of compatriot Fred chipping the Reds’ number one. Replaced at half-time against the Red Devils, he hasn’t played since because of abdominal injury.
After missing Liverpool’s friendly defeat to Red Bull Salzburg, Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Alisson will also sit out Saturday’s FA Community Shield against Manchester City at the King Power due to injury.
He said: “No, Alisson and Diogo have no [chance]. Ali trained today more than the day before so he will be definitely available for Fulham, but not for the weekend,” the boss said on Thursday.
“And the same for Diogo. Diogo was not here with us so how could he play a football game? That will take a while unfortunately. That’s it.”
In normal circumstances, the absence of Alisson, while obviously felt, would not be much of a blow with Caoimhin Kelleher in reserve. After all, Klopp labelled the Irishman ‘the best number two goalie in the world’ following his heroic display in Liverpool’s League Cup final victory over Chelsea back in February.
“Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world for me,” Klopp told reporters at Wembley. “There are other good goalkeepers out there but this goalie is absolutely insane. But to be honest for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best number two goalie in the world as well.
“The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I can remember at least two incredible saves, and probably there were more. So he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right.
“And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout he showed the whole range of his skill set. He finished one off with his really skilled feet. So top class.”
Yet the 23-year-old remains sidelined himself and hasn’t featured at all during pre-season due to an unspecified injury suffered on international duty with the Republic of Ireland last month. Club sources described his setback as “a knock” after he missed the Reds’ pre-season tour of Asia, yet he was unable to return for Liverpool’s training camp in Austria either.
To add further uncertainty to his situation, Kelleher had hinted that he could look to leave the Reds this summer in search of first-choice status when speaking on international duty.
“I’m not sure on what’s happening yet,» the shot-stopper told reporters when asked about his future while away with the Republic of Ireland during the June international break. «I’m still finishing this season and then we will have conversations after that to see what happens.
“Obviously, I need to play these few games and see what happens with these and maybe decide after that.”
Regardless of Kelleher’s transfer status, in the absence of both him and Alisson, third-choice goalkeeper Adrian has started the Reds’ pre-season clashes with Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, with youngsters Harvey Davies and Fabian Mrozek coming on in reserve.
And while the Brazilian might be closing in on a return, memories of his injury record in recent seasons, with him missing 14 games in 2019/20 and six matches in 2020/21, could understandably prompt a little uneasiness when juxtaposed alongside Kelleher’s own absence and potential desire to leave.
As a result, while Liverpool’s incoming transfer business is seemingly done for the summer, could they be forced to reconsider that stance and sign a new back-up goalkeeper? If they were tempted to look to the free agent market for further reserves, it certainly wouldn’t be for the first time.
That indeed proved to be the case back in August 2019 when Alisson suffered a calf injury on the opening day of the season against Norwich City, prompting Klopp to retain trialist Andy Lonergan’s services on a permanent basis.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned veteran goalkeeper is one of four players that the German has signed on a Bosman transfer, without the need for a tribunal fee or compensation package, during his time at Anfield. Also recruiting Adrian and Alex Manninger on free transfers, Joel Matip is the only one of that quartet not to be a back-up goalkeeper.
Having signed only nine senior players without needing to part with a transfer fee since taking over the club in 2011, Adam Bogdan and Doni ensure that over half of that number play in goal. Meanwhile, the quintet have made 20 Premier League appearances for the Reds between them, with Adrian accounting for 14 of them.
Camisetas pavo:Camisetas de Fútbol de Equipos Nacionales e Internacionales maillot foot france pas cher ⭐ Neuf et occasion ✌ Meilleurs prix du web ✅ Promos de folie ✅ 5% remboursés minimum sur votre commande !