Liverpool look set to be in the market for a new back-up goalkeeper this summer.
The Reds have had the position boxed off over the past few years, as Caoimhin Kelleher has developed into a first-team player.
However, with Kelleher now publicly admitting that he wants to be a No.1, it looks like the Irishman will be on his way.
While Kelleher will go with the well-wishes of everyone, it won’t be easy to replace him. The 25-year-old has been stellar since coming through the academy and is now a vital member of the Liverpool squad.
Nevertheless, the Reds will have to find someone else. And in our opinion, they should look to Kelleher’s pathway for inspiration.
Vitezslav Jaros ready for step up at Liverpool
It would well be that Liverpool are in need of a new third-choice goalie this summer, too. Adrian is out of contract and has expressed a desire to move back to Spain.
However, the 37-year-old was not given a send-off at Anfield along with all the other departing players and we’d suggest he could be staying as a result.
In that sense, Liverpool will still have an experienced back-up should things go to pot. But just as he did with Kelleher, we think Adrian should offer support for young Vitezslav Jaros to come to the fore.
At 22, Jaros is about the age Kelleher was when he first properly broke into being a genuine option for Liverpool. Jaros is also vastly more experienced than the Ireland international was.
The Czech ‘keeper is just coming off the back of his fourth loan spell while on the books at Liverpool. And it was his best yet. After joining in January, Jaros kept goal as Sturm Graz ended RB Salzburg’s 10-year run of title wins in Austria.
As the 22-year-old himself recently said, he’s been keeping in touch with coaches at the AXA Training Centre, who he claims are ‘really happy’ with his performances.
Jaros has also been earning international recognition. After getting rave reviews at last summer’s Euro U21 tournament, the young ‘keeper has been called up to Czech Republic’s senior squad for Euro 2024. He’s ready.
What if Jaros is not ready?
It can always be difficult to tell for a goalkeeper, especially a back-up goalkeeper. But we’d say Jaros now has enough experience to step into a reserve role at Liverpool.
At the very least he deserves Arne Slot and the coaching team to take a look at him over pre-season.
If they then deduce that Jaros perhaps needs another loan spell, Liverpool will have to dip into the market.
None of the other young goalies and the club look to be anything like ready to make the step up. Jaros is by far and away the nearest.
If that’s the route Liverpool want to go down then there are options out there. Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow has been linked, while Thursday brought news of an enquiry for Australian A-League goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
From our point of view though, the Reds should be looking at a home-grown talent to bring through in the manner of Kelleher. Jaros fits the bill.
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