Liverpool are reportedly showing interest in one of Southampton goalkeepers.
For the first time in five years, Liverpool might need to recruit a senior goalkeeper during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Arne Slot is set to take the helm at Anfield with Alisson Becker, arguably one of the world’s best goalkeepers, between the posts.
The Brazil international will aim to return to Merseyside following a successful Copa America campaign. At 31, Alisson hopes for an injury-free season after missing nearly two months of the 2023-24 season due to a hamstring injury.
Given Alisson’s dominant position, Caoimhin Kelleher has hinted that it might be the right time for him to pursue a No.1 spot at another club.
Last summer, Jurgen Klopp convinced the Republic of Ireland international to stay at Liverpool, a decision that paid off. Kelleher had his best season, making 26 appearances and securing his second Carabao Cup winners’ medal.
At 25, Kelleher is eager for regular playing time, especially after experiencing an extended period as a starter while Alisson was injured.
Additionally, third-choice goalkeeper Adrian has not yet decided on his future. Although he was not listed among the players leaving at the end of the season alongside Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara, the 37-year-old has expressed a desire to return to La Liga.
Given these circumstances, it is not surprising that Liverpool are reported to be interested in a new goalkeeper. Alex McCarthy is reportedly on their radar, which makes sense.
Despite being a backup for most of the season at Southampton, he played in their final nine games. This included a successful play-off run that ended with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley, securing their promotion back to the Premier League.
Any new arrival at Anfield will need to accept a backup role to Alisson. McCarthy seems suitable for this position. At 34, he is nearing the end of his career and will be a free agent when his contract with St Mary’s expires next month.
This move might be a rare opportunity for him. Southampton manager Russell Martin acknowledged after their Championship play-off victory that the club might struggle financially to retain McCarthy, Che Adams, and Stuart Armstrong.
Martin told the Southern Daily Echo: “Big Al, I guess I’m a bit of an idiot for not playing a bit sooner but I think we have such a brilliant goalkeeping department here with Gavin [Bazunu] and Joe [Lumley] as well. I’m so pleased for Al that it finished in this way. As I said, maybe it was meant to happen that he came into the team at some point
“He’s been immense since he came in so we’ll try and keep Al as well and we’ll keep our fingers crossed. It’s my job now to try and squeeze more money out of Phil [Parsons, CEO] and the board and everyone and see where it takes us.”
McCarthy would bring extensive experience to Liverpool, having made 135 Premier League appearances for Southampton, Reading, and QPR over his career. Importantly, he is considered home-grown, which is a valuable asset in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
In the Premier League, clubs can only register a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players. The other eight spots must be filled by players who have come through academies in England or Wales, with no limit on under-21 players.
Currently, Liverpool have 14 non-homegrown players in their squad. This provides some flexibility, but with the potential signings of a center-back, a defensive midfielder, and an additional forward, Liverpool could hit the non-homegrown player limit if those new signings are foreign.
Regarding the 25-man Champions League squad, UEFA rules require that List A includes a minimum of eight players trained by clubs from the same national league for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
List B can include an unlimited number of players born on or after January 1, 2002, who have been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years. This list includes Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark, and James McConnell, and Ben Doak will be added as he joined from Celtic in the summer of 2022.
Another option is to promote Vítězslav Jaroš, who helped Sturm Graz win the Austrian Bundesliga during his loan spell, to the No. 2 goalkeeper position.
He is considered homegrown, having joined Liverpool at age 16, but his lack of experience might be a concern. McCarthy, with his extensive experience, could be a more prudent choice.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot’s Transfer Priority Emerges as Liverpool ‘Reignites Interest’ in Jurgen Klopp Target