Liverpool did something no-one’s seen before with £30m transfer

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Liverpool’s deal for Lucca Brughmans – which could reach roughly £30m – makes the teenager the most expensive goalkeeper.The Athletic confirmed as much after the Reds beat out reported interest from some of Europe’s most elite outfits.The 18-year-old was allowed to remain at Genk for the rest of the 2026/27 season.Liverpool preparing for life with Alisson Becker(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Given that second-choice Giorgi Mamardashvili has yet to prove he is a capable successor – and with this potentially set to be Alisson Becker’s final season at Anfield – the Reds have been proactive in the market.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustNow, in the Georgian’s defence, his main competition in the form of Liverpool’s Brazilian number one is on an expiring contract running out next summer.

So, this may simply be a case of the Reds planning to restock their goalkeeping department.However, a host of far-from-encouraging performances in 2025/26 would lead us to suggest that Brughmans’ future arrival indicates that the club doesn’t have absolute faith in Mamardashvili.Giorgi Mamardashvili has to prove himself before Lucca Brughmans’ arrival(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Even assuming that our new Belgian ‘keeper impresses on loan at Genk, it would be fair to point out that the shotstopper would represent a risky commitment at 19 years of age next term.The jump from the Belgian top-flight to the Premier League, with the greatest of respect, is seismic. So, we’d have to expect that, assuming Alisson departs this summer, his immediate replacement will be Giorgi Mamardashvili, with Brughmans given the opportunity to deputise.But let’s be honest, the former Valencia No.1 won’t be given forever to improve his weak distribution.

And he won’t be able to count on Andoni Iraola being unwilling to pull the trigger on bringing Liverpool’s young goalkeeper into the first XI if our first-choice is harming our build-up and ability to counter at pace.The clock is ticking for Liverpool’s No.2.