Liverpool want 20-year-old Dutch starlet playing in Belgium

Liverpool want Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen

Liverpool FC look to bring Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to Anfield next season (via ECHO). The young shot-stopper has caught the attention of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is “charmed” by the player’s talent. The Reds are in competition with their arch-rivals, Manchester United, for Verbruggen’s signature.

Liverpool’s current number-one goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, has had another outstanding season, leaving no doubt that he is the regular starter. However, the Reds may need to strengthen their backup options this summer. Second-choice goalie Caoimhin Kelleher seeks regular first-team football elsewhere, and Liverpool is likely to demand a fee upwards of £20m

Meanwhile, the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, Adrian, is out of contract at the end of the season and it is extremely unlikely that the Spaniard will stay at the club beyond his present contract.

Liverpool has identified Verbruggen as a potential replacement, and the club now stands aware of the fee required to secure his services. According to reports from Belgian outlet HLN via the ECHO, the Reds would need to battle Manchester United and deliver a sum in “double figures” to pull Verbruggen away from Anderlecht at about £11m.

New goalie at the Reds?

The fee can be considered reasonable for a player of Verbruggen’s quality and potential, and it is expected that Liverpool will make an official offer soon.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper is currently under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), and Anderlecht would ideally want to keep the Dutchman at bay for as long as possible until the right offer comes by. The Reds’ interest in Verbruggen certainly shows that the club is planning for the future and looking to strengthen its squad in key areas.

Verbruggen is a promising young player who has the potential to develop into a top-class goalkeeper, and Liverpool will be hoping that they can convince him to join the club.

With Alisson obviously firmly established as the first-choice goalkeeper, Liverpool needs a reliable backup to ensure that they can maintain their high standards in the unlikely event of injury or suspension.

More Liverpool News:

• Liverpool leading the race to sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves
• Liverpool lead Arsenal and Tottenham in Mason Mount transfer race 
• LFC Transfer News: Liverpool and Barcelona among clubs ‘scouting’ Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven

With Kelleher’s future with the club in the looms, it is wise of Liverpool to look elsewhere to bolster their second-choice goalkeeping options and Verbruggen could certainly prove to be a good investment if he gets the time and patience a young player needs.