Liverpool are reportedly planning a summer raid on Southampton for English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, with Simon Mignolet on his way out.
According to a report from the Mirror, Liverpool are eyeing a summer swoop for Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy, with manager Jurgen Klopp on the lookout for a quality backup goalkeeper ahead of the next season.
Liverpool had a sensational 2018-19 campaign, as they lifted the UEFA Champions League, while finishing runners-up in the Premier League, beaten by champions Manchester City by just a point. The Reds will be keen on going a step further next time out and will be eyeing some key additions to their squad that would help them to build on their success.
Lille’s Nicolas Pepe is being targeted by the European champions as they look to strengthen their attacking contingent, but manager Klopp is reportedly also in the market for a new backup goalkeeper, amid question marks over the future of current No.2 Simon Mignolet.
Mignolet has been with Liverpool for six years now, having joined from Sunderland back in 2013. However, over the past two years, the 31-year-old has seen his game time drastically reduce, as he fell behind Loris Karius in the pecking order, and has continued to play second-fiddle to Alisson Becker since his arrival at Anfield last summer.
Having featured just two times in the 2018-19 campaign, Mignolet is keen on an exit this summer amid interest from Bournemouth. Should the Belgian depart in the ongoing window, which seems increasingly likely, Liverpool will find themselves without a backup option for Alisson, with Karius set to continue his loan spell at Besiktas.
Liverpool are intent on addressing this issue and had been linked with a move for Cardiff City star Neil Etheridge. But, according to the Mirror, the Reds seem to have turned their attention towards Southampton’s Alex McCarthy now.
McCarthy, 29, has been with Southampton since 2016, arriving from Crystal Palace. A product of the Reading youth academy, the custodian has garnered plenty of experience across various tiers of English football, having had spells with the likes of Leeds United, Ipswich Town, QPR previously.
McCarthy started the 2018-19 term as the first-choice at Southampton and his form earned him a call-up to the England national team, with the goalkeeper making his debut in November last year. However, towards the latter stages of the season he lost his place to Angus Gunn, finishing with 25 league appearances, in which he managed 4 clean sheets.
The report claims that McCarthy was on Klopp’s radar last summer as well and given his current situation at Southampton, the German tactician is looking to capitalize on it by swooping in to sign the England international.
McCarthy signed a new contract with Southampton last year, extending his stay till 2022. While he will not be a first-choice at Liverpool, the appeal of better wages and the chance to compete for top honours could draw him towards Anfield. The Reds have raided the Saints plenty of times in recent years and it remains to be seen if they act on their reported interest in McCarthy.
