Liverpool have a good deal of transfer business to get through as Arne Slot takes the helm.
Slot has only been in charge of the Reds for a matter of days, but he already needs to get a bit of a move on in the market.
Backed by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, it seems a safe bet that Liverpool will make a couple of smart additions before the season starts.
Bolstering the options at centre-back is an obvious priority, while a new attacker should also be arriving at Anfield.
Beyond that though, the Reds have the less glamorous task of adding to their goalkeeping ranks. Slot may end up needing a new number two and number three in his Liverpool squad. Thankfully, one ideal candidate has just become available.
Liverpool should bring back Pepe Reina
It isn’t a done deal that Liverpool will need either a new number two or three this summer.
However, Caoimhin Kelleher looks increasingly likely to leave, while the latest on Adrian’s future is that it’s ‘unclear’ at best.
For Kelleher’s replacement, we suggest perhaps rewarding Vitezslav Jaros’ excellent spell at Sturm Graz and promoting him to the first-team.
But for Adrian’s successor, some slightly more outside-of-the-box thinking is required.
It isn’t easy to select a third-choice goalie. Adrian has been a good choice for Liverpool because he’s getting on in years, is happy with his lack of playing time and is excellent around the dressing room.
We think Slot can tick all of those boxes – and possibly even more – by bringing former number one Pepe Reina back to Anfield.
As he announced on Monday evening via Instagram, Reina will leave Villarreal this summer.
“Now I need to find the site that will help me write the last chapter, feeling very prepared and motivated to do so,” wrote the 41-year-old. It’s clear to us that that ‘site’ should be Liverpool.
Why Pepe Reina would be perfect for Liverpool
Liverpool’s goalkeeping department is going through a heck of a tumultuous time. As well as possibly Kelleher and Adrian, head goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is also leaving after 15 years with the club.
So, the Reds are on the lookout for a new coach while also scouring for possible additions.
As he turns 42 this summer, Reina clearly has minimal time left as a player. Perhaps the chance is there to combine a playing/coaching role for a year before transitioning to be part of the coaching team.
As a third choice, the World Cup winner would obviously very rarely be needed next season – if at all. But should he need to step in, he could. Reina played 43 times across two seasons at Villarreal, including 11 in the campaign just gone.
Along with what should be relative match fitness, Pepe is also a huge character who would no doubt slot nicely into the dressing room.
Brendan Rodgers called Reina a ‘wonderful’ goalkeeper [Liverpool ECHO] before sending him off on-loan in 2013 and then permanently in 2014. As retirement beckons for Pepe, it’s time to put the wrong of his untimely sale right and close the circle. It just makes sense.