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Liverpool will consider the 2018/19 campaign to be a successful one even if they fail to lift the Champions League trophy against Spurs on 1st June. If the fans would have been told that their team will make it to the Champions League final and almost win the league title at the start of the season, they would have gleefully accepted it.
The team’s biggest strength this season has been their defensive stability, but it wasn't the case earlier. Liverpool were a team that attacked relentlessly but neglected their defensive duties early on in Klopp's reign. Therefore, credit must be given to the German and his recruitment staff, for identifying this weakness and going all out to find a solution.
In came Alisson Becker and Fabinho at the start of the summer to consolidate the team, alongside the signings of van Dijk and Andy Robertson last season. This, along with the meteoric rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold, ensured that Liverpool had a top-class defence at the start of the campaign.
As a result of Alisson’s entry, previous number one Simon Mignolet was relegated to the bench, while last season’s Champions League villain Loris Karius was sent out on a 2-year loan to Besiktas. After spending the whole season on the bench, Mignolet is most likely to head out in search of regular playing time.
As a result, the Reds will require a suitable back-up for their Brazilian number 1 heading into the 2019/20 campaign. In this article, we take a look at some of the goalkeepers Michael Edwards and Co. should target this summer:
#4 Adrian (West Ham)
The first player on our list is West Ham’s Adrian, whose contract with the Hammers is up at the end of this season. After spending six successful years in London, Adrian might look for a change in scenery, and the chance of winning silverware under the management of Jurgen Klopp should appeal to him.
After spending the 2018/19 campaign as an understudy to the fantastic Lukasz Fabianski, the Spaniard might feel content to switch sides and become the cup keeper for the Reds. The deal will be great for both parties, as Liverpool will get a player with Premier League experience and brilliant shot-stopping abilities.
At 32 years of age, Adrian still has some years ahead of him, and with him available for free, this deal seems to make a lot of sense for both parties.
#3 Pepe Reina (Milan)
This would be a fairy-tale return for a fan favourite who guarded the Liverpool posts successfully from 2005 to 2013. The man who won 3 Golden Gloves during his time at Anfield could ironically be brought back as an understudy to the current Golden Glove winner.
The 36-year old might be a short-term option for the Reds, but even a season or two out of the Spaniard might do the trick for Jurgen Klopp. With almost 20 years of experience at the top level, Alisson could learn a lot from a personality like Reina.
After leaving Liverpool, Reina spent a year in Germany with Bavarian giants Bayern Munich as an understudy to Manuel Neuer. The German spell was sandwiched in between a highly successful four years in Naples as the first-choice keeper.
Despite signing a 3-year contract with Milan last summer, the lure of Anfield and its fans might just convince the Spaniard to return to England. Currently, Reina plays second fiddle to the talented Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Personally, this would be the transfer I look forward to the most, but in this day and age, where only success matters, the club might go for a long-term option.
#2 Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Number two on our list is Englishman Jack Butland. Once tipped to be a future England goalkeeper, the Englishman hasn’t yet fulfilled those promises due to a questionable attitude and the lack of a proper mentor.
After Stoke’s relegation last summer, Butland was tipped to remain in the Premier League but a shortage of suitable buyers and a high asking price meant the 9-cap Englishman spent the 2018/19 season in the Championship.
Despite Stoke finishing a miserable 16th in the Championship, Butland kept his reputation intact as he kept 18 clean sheets in the league, finishing third behind Dean Henderson and Darren Randolph in this regard.
Once a target for Liverpool, Butland is still rated highly in England, and being homegrown adds more value to his stock. The only stumbling block might be his price tag. With Stoke demanding a price upwards of £20 million, it is highly unlikely that the Reds would spend that much on a number two goalkeeper.
#1 Neil Etheridge (Cardiff City)
Despite Cardiff’s meek relegation, Neil Etheridge’s reputation was enhanced this past season. The Philippine international was one of the few bright spots in what was a poor campaign for the Bluebirds.
Despite having conceded the most number of goals this season (69), Neil Etheridge proved his worth with a staggering 141 saves to his name, a record only bettered by West Ham’s Fabianski (148). Without his presence in goal, the number of goals conceded could have been an embarrassing number.
With 3 penalty saves to his name in the Premier League this season, the former Fulham goalkeeper could become a great asset for the Reds in Cup games, especially those that go into penalty shootouts.
Although after the Welsh side’s relegation, there will be no shortage of suitors for Etheridge , the chance to win trophies at Liverpool could sway the 29-year old towards the Merseysiders.
With the recent record of buying players from relegated sides, the Reds will be confident of another successful transfer if the Philippine makes his way to Anfield.
