Liverpool already know their ideal replacement for Alisson Becker but they can't easily sign him - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool look likely to be facing further churn in the goalkeeping department this summer, with claims that Alisson Becker has agreed a move to Juventus.Having replaced virtually all of their shot-stopping options last summer – along with the coaches – the Reds could be finally set to lose their biggest piece of all.The day was always going to come that Liverpool would need to be replacing Alisson, and it was always going to be extremely difficult to do so.Nevertheless, the Reds had their ideal successor already at the club before letting Caoimhin Kelleher leave in 2025, and having failed to include a buy-back clause in his move to Brentford, it will not be easy to get him back. Are Liverpool making the right call by sticking with Arne Slot? 🤔 What does he need to do to get the fans and players back on side?Credit: Stuart Franklin/UEFA/Getty Images Caoimhin Kelleher should have been Alisson’s replacementDuring his four years as Alisson’s number two, Kelleher proved himself well worthy of one day taking on the mantle as Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper.Since moving to Brentford the Irishman has continued to show his quality, helping Keith Andrews’ side surprisingly push for a European finish in the Premier League.Jurgen Klopp loved Kelleher, regularly praising the Liverpool academy graduate as the best number two on the planet.
READ MORE: Danny Murphy makes early prediction on what will happen at Liverpool next season if Arne Slot staysPhoto by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesArne Slot was also a fan, and it’s inarguable that the Reds would not have won the Premier League without his last year. The Ireland international also deserved his chance to become a starting Premier League goalkeeper, but as Alisson prepares to leave, it now looks like bad planning from Liverpool not to include an option for his return to Anfield.No chance Liverpool look away from Giorgi MamardashviliClearly, Liverpool did put plans in place to cater for Alisson leaving, and also to make up for his all-too regular injury absences.Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed in 2024, meaning the project to install him as the Reds’ number one has now been running for almost two years.Though there is a strong argument that Kelleher should have been the heir apparent, and is a better goalkeeper than Mamardashvili, it is clear that the latter will be the man to take on the reins.Even if Liverpool did insert some kind of secret mechanism in which they could bring Kelleher back after a year, it seems unlikely that they would action it.
Liverpool matchday income vs inflation graphic Credit: Adam Williams/GRV Media Mamardashvili has had a fairly mixed debut season with Liverpool, but there has been plenty of good there, and at 25 years old he is only going to get better.Nevertheless, there will remain some regret that Kelleher is not simply waiting to step into Alisson’s gloves.Had he been willing to wait for just one more year at Anfield, or had Liverpool had the foresight to maybe loan him out for the season, or, crucially, to insert a reasonable buyback clause into the deal with Brentford, they would have had the smoothest succession possible.Instead, they will likely roll the dice with Mamardashvili. There have been links with James Trafford in recent days, but Liverpool will surely not spend big on another goalkeeper now.