With one signing accomplished and a brand new contract agreed, Liverpool look to have settled the way forward for their goalkeeping division for all times after Alisson.
Alisson has lengthy been and stays the very best goalkeeper on this planet, and that may be a privilege Arne Slot has loved in his first season at Liverpool.
“I don’t suppose I’ve labored with a goalkeeper that has performed at this stage – which is regular,” the top coach admitted in March.
“I’ve had some superb gamers as a supervisor, however by no means had the very best goalkeeper on this planet and that I believe he’s.”
Slot was talking after Alisson‘s outlandishly good show in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool’s smash-and-grab 1-0 victory within the Champions League.
For a lot of, that was the head of a glittering array of performances from the Brazilian since becoming a member of the membership from AS Roma in a briefly world-record deal in 2018.
Alisson adopted that up with a vital displaying in Sunday’s 2-1 win over West Ham which, after two video games out attributable to concussion protocol, summed up his enduring significance to this Liverpool aspect.
Caoimhin Kelleher had crammed in adeptly in opposition to Everton and Fulham – as he has often over the previous two seasons – however there isn’t any substitute for the very best on this planet.
It’s a sobering actuality going through Liverpool and their No. 1, nevertheless, that turning 33 later this 12 months and with extra damage issues than most in his place, life with out Alisson at Anfield could come sooner somewhat than later.
His dedication to the Reds stays unwavering, having turned down provides from Saudi Arabia final summer time earlier than making it clear he intends to see out the rest of a contract that because it stands runs to 2026.
Liverpool have the choice to increase that additional to 2027, which they might nicely motion given not solely his worth to the aspect but additionally his worth out there.
There are plans in place to interchange Alisson, however the timeline of that handover is as but undetermined.
Life after Alisson
Final summer time, the £29 million deal to signal Georgia’s Participant of the 12 months from Valencia was met with bemusement amongst many, however in Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool are bringing in a goalkeeper of elite potential.
And additional to that, reviews within the Czech Republic this week declare {that a} new contract has been agreed with Vitezslav Jaros, the 23-year-old stopper who made his senior debut this season after a double-winning mortgage at Sturm Graz in Austria.
Czech outlet inFotbal declare Jaros has already shaken arms on a long-term extension to a deal which was set to run out in 2026, with improved phrases and a view to a high-profile mortgage transfer for 2025/26.
The expectation is that Jaros will spend the season with a prime membership in both Ligue 1 or LaLiga, gaining helpful expertise and sport time after a marketing campaign spent serving as third selection at Liverpool.
Within the meantime the chances are Harvey Davies, now 21 himself, takes over as dependable cowl in coaching and travelling for matchdays.
Whereas that will recommend a scenario in flux, with doubts over Alisson‘s longevity, no actual readability over Mamardashvili’s standing and Jaros attributable to depart on a short lived foundation, there are indicators of a cohesive concept.
Clearly, it’s not crucial to maneuver Alisson on at this stage, and there’s no indication that Slot will demote him from the No. 1 function subsequent season.
Quite the opposite, there’s a concerted effort behind the scenes to higher perceive handle these persistent health points – and which may be the place Mamardashvili is available in.
With Mamardashvili becoming a member of a brand new league in a brand new nation, the expectation shall be that he initially arrives as competitors for the Brazilian with a transparent pathway to take over, probably when that contract expires in 2026.
That may align with Jaros then getting back from his time away, able to inherit what may very well be endearingly dubbed the Kelleher function – as a membership of Liverpool’s ambition requires a couple of prime goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s long-term planning
It’s now broadly accepted that Kelleher himself has outgrown that place, and with one 12 months left on his contract this summer time, Bournemouth are among the many sides .
Promoting Kelleher could also be an unpopular determination with some supporters, however Liverpool might nicely recoup a lot of the Mamardashvili price by lastly granting the Irishman an opportunity to develop into first selection elsewhere.
In fact, that’s not to say this succession plan is ready in stone. There are numerous variables nonetheless in play.
Alisson ought to really feel he can preserve world-class type into his late 30s and neither Mamardashvili or Jaros could be minded to attend that lengthy for his or her likelihood.
Liverpool might even be dealt a welcome shock from their academy, with excessive hopes for 17-year-old Kornel Misciur who, like Kelleher and Jaros earlier than him, can look to make the leap from younger prospect to first-team common.
However all of the items seem like falling into place on the proper time – and that may be a testomony to the long-term planning of these inside the membership’s hierarchy.
