Liverpool are looking at the possibility of adding an exciting young Ajax goalkeeper to their squad.
Who’s between the sticks at Liverpool is currently a hot topic. Although Alisson Becker is unquestionably the No.1 and hopefully will be for some time yet, the Brazilian is currently injured.
In his absence, Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to step in, but with the Irishman’s long-term future in the balance, Liverpool could soon need a new No.2.
And according to TeamTALK, they may just have their eyes on one. They claim that the Reds are ‘looking closely’ at 19-year-old Ajax ‘keeper Charlie Setford.
They’re not alone in having their eye caught by the teenager, though. Arsenal, West Ham United and Chelsea are reportedly well aware of young Setford, too.
Liverpool looking at Setford
Born in the Netherlands to an English father and a Dutch mother, Setford and his younger brother Tommy – who’s also at Ajax – have already decided they’d like to represent England.
To that end, Charlie has already featured for both the Three Lions’ U16’s and U18’s teams.
Speaking further to that in an interview with BBC Sport in March 2022, the teenager claimed that it’s also a ‘dream’ of his to play in the Premier League.
“I am at Ajax at the moment and my focus is completely there,” said the youngster. “But the Premier League is the biggest league in the world and eventually, I do want to make that step. That – and playing for England – are big dreams for me.”
Clearly, if he were brought to Liverpool, that dream would still be a little way to being realised.
Alisson still has years left in him at Anfield, while there are also high hopes for 20-year-old Marcelo Pitaluga beyond him.
But Liverpool have become quite adept at spotting young talent to bring in from elsewhere. If they went out and got Setford, it would be because they believed he had a genuine future with the first-team.
Up until now, there hasn’t been too much to go on in regards to proving that notion. The England youth international is still yet to feature for the Ajax senior side, although he has been on the bench.
Nevertheless, at a club notorious for their policy of promoting their youngsters, Setford is certainly one to be aware of.
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