World Cup winner now suggests he won’t be joining Liverpool, after claims they’re set to make a bid

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Veteran goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler has suggested that he doesn’t expect to be joining Liverpool this summer.

The Reds have been linked with a move for Zieler as they prepare for the potential exit of back-up goalie Caoimhin Kelleher. Just last night, Bild carried a report that the 34-year-old remains ‘high on Liverpool’s wish list.’

But in the same report, quotes from the man himself appear to have poured cold water on any Anfield move.

“I’m assuming that I’ll wear the Hannover jersey again in the new season,” Zieler said. “And hope that we do better with the jersey than we did against Kiel [a 5-1 defeat on the last day of the campaign].”

This would track with Bild’s claims that contact is yet to be made from Liverpool. Furthermore, they quote Hannover sporting director Marcus Mann, who reiterates Zieler’s stance.

“Ron [Zieler] is firmly scheduled for us. And that’s a good thing. We don’t think about it every day,” said the Hannover chief. Maybe that’s that, then.

Zieler appears to rule out Liverpool move

If Liverpool are indeed in need of a replacement for Kelleher then Zieler wouldn’t be a terrible option. He’s experienced at a top level and wouldn’t cost the earth.

Having been a part of Germany’s World Cup winning squad in 2014, he knows what it takes to be among a winning group. Funnily, he’d also count as a home-grown player having spent some of his formative years at Manchester United.

But, despite all that, we still think Liverpool should be aiming ever so slightly higher. Not to mean any disrespect to Zieler, but he isn’t that far removed from being unable to get a sniff at Leicester City.

There must be a reason he’s now playing in Germany’s second division, at what is still a prime age for a goalkeeper.

To go from potentially the best quality back-up we’ve ever had – in Kelleher – to Zieler would be a little underwhelming.

So, we think that if Liverpool were, or are, looking at the German, it would be as a replacement for third-choice Adrian. That would make much more sense, especially to fill a home-grown slot.

But with Adrian looking set to announce a new contract extension at Anfield, maybe the move has been put on ice. If Kelleher ends up leaving it will be interesting to see who is brought in. In any event though, we don’t think it’ll be Zieler.