The Mirror claim that Liverpool are once again looking at Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. The Reds reportedly wanted the 29-year-old back in 2014.
Liverpool need a new backup goalkeeper this summer, regardless of Alisson’s incredible reliability. The ever-professional Simon Mignolet will likely leave, as the Mirror says, and a replacement is needed.
Hence the links with McCarthy, a goalkeeper who reportedly turned down Anfield in 2014. McCarthy began last season as Southampton’s first-choice, although lost that position in February and didn’t play again.
It would be, of course, a dull signing. It’s the sensible option, the one that makes sense – but also very uninspiring.
Would McCarthy play at all? Perhaps in the cups but you’d actually hope he doesn’t play a Premier League game.
The exciting option would be to pay Jan Oblak’s release clause, naturally. But that’s also massively unrealistic and largely pointless – why do you need two world-class goalkeepers?
A more romantic choice would be to promote a goalkeeper from the youth set-up. It’s the decision Liverpool declined to take with Danny Ward but here’s another chance.
But as nice as that would be, it’s too risky. Injury to Alisson, as unlikely as it may be, could be disastrous, forcing Liverpool to push on with a kid.
Instead, the safe, comfortable, sensible option for Liverpool is a player like McCarthy. As dull as it may seem. He could step in and offer decent cover in a worst-case scenario.
And that suits Liverpool best.
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