Fabrizio Romano has suggested that one Liverpool player is expected to stay at Anfield next season despite being approached about a potential move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
There is a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding the Reds heading into the next few months, with Arne Slot set to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. And with that, some may be expecting some significant changes within the playing squad.
Liverpool want to keep the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah; but they are not the only key men the Reds face a battle to hold onto.
Alisson Becker has now made more than 200 Premier League appearances for the Reds since his £67 million move, despite missing a fair portion of this past season with injury.
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool will not sell Alisson Becker
And it appeared that there was a chance that he may follow Klopp out of Anfield this summer. It was reported that clubs in Saudi Arabia were preparing monster contract offers for Alisson.
However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has suggested that he would currently be surprised to see the 31-year-old leave Merseyside after looking into the situation.
“In the last few days we heard rumours on Alisson and proposals from Saudi. I was checking on that guys, and what I’m told is that there was some approaches around March, April for Alisson, trying to understand the situation around the Brazilian goalkeeper, but the answer I got, as of now, and never say never in the market, but as of now, and of May, is that there was some approach, but Alisson is expected to stay at Liverpool,” he said.
“Liverpool are not planning to change the goalkeeper, they are very happy with Alisson, Alisson is very happy at Liverpool. He’s not desperate to change, he’s not looking for money. And so, at the moment, there is no expectation for Alisson to leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window for Saudi.”
What Jurgen Klopp told Alisson’s understudy before departure
It would be a big boost for Liverpool and Slot to hold onto Alisson. Many believe Alisson is the best and most complete goalkeeper in the Premier League right now. And there is no reason why he cannot continue to play at an incredibly high level for a few more years yet.
Of course, Alisson staying put would leave a question mark over what the future holds for Caoimhin Kelleher, with the Irishman proving that he is too good to be a backup.
He may feel that the time is right to move on and become the number one elsewhere, which would provide the Reds with a tough challenge as they look to replace him.
Kelleher suggested that Klopp praised his development in one of their final conversations before the German stepped aside as manager. And that encouragement may be exactly what he needed to hear to push him to look for that chance at another club.
It would be a shame for Liverpool to lose Kelleher, but they will understand that he could face a lengthy wait if he sticks around as backup to Alisson.