Liverpool are reportedly tracking on Feyenoord goalkeeper Juston Bijlow who has been recommended to them by former shot-stopper Doni
According to Daily Mirror, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Feyenoord Rotterdam star Justin Bijlow after being recommended to them by former goalkeeper Doni.
The Brazilian was on Liverpool’s books from 2011 to 2013 and was largely a backup to Spanish shot-stopper Pepe Reina. While he may not have left much of an impression on the field in red, he has played a role in the club’s success at the back of late.
Doni brought Alisson Becker onto Liverpool’s radar during his earlier stint with Internacional. The Reds would eventually sign him via AS Roma for a then world-record fee for a goalkeeper. To say the Brazilian has been anything less than an unqualified success would be wrong.
Current Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg revealed Doni was the one who first brought Alisson to the club’s attention. He has an eye for talent and has now gone on to recommend Bijlow.
The 23-year-old is a rising star in Dutch football and has excelled over the years in Rotterdam. An excellent shot-stopper, Bijlow has the potential to become a leading goalkeeper in the years to come. He recently made his debut for the Dutch national side and has so far won three caps.
His performances have not gone unnoticed on Merseyside. While the Reds are not in the market for a goalkeeper at the moment, they continue to keep tabs on Bijlow and his progress in the Eredivisie.
Achtenberg also admitted that he is in constant touch with the goalkeeping coach at Feyenoord, Khalid Benlahsen, over the player’s progress. Whether Liverpool eventually make a move for the player or not, it does not hurt to maintain positive relations.
At 29, Alisson is still in his prime and is the undisputed number one in goal for Jurgen Klopp’s side. He recently penned a new deal and looks set to stay at the club for years to come. Any player brought in to challenge him will have a real fight on their hands.
The Brazilian, however, cannot go on forever and will need to be replaced in the future. While that may still be some years away, it is heartening to see that the Reds continue to monitor players who could turn out to be future stars.
In recent years, Liverpool have done excellent business in the transfer market and could be sitting on a goldmine of a talent in Bijlow. Alisson is arguably the Reds’ best goalkeeper in the Premier League era, and whoever follows him will have to meet lofty standards. Bijlow certainly has the potential to be that man. Whether Doni has helped Liverpool strike gold once more remains to be seen.
