Liverpool confirm intention to bring in goalkeeper Andy Lonergan

Posted Tuesday, August 13, 2019 by 101 GREAT GOALS

Jurgen Klopp has this evening revealed that Liverpool intend to sign free agent goalkeeper Andy Lonergan imminently.

Alisson crocked

The Reds got their 2019/20 Premier League season off to an ideal start last Friday, versus Norwich City.

A 4-1 victory over the Canaries at Anfield saw Liverpool temporarily take hold of top-spot in the English top-flight table.

However, an otherwise positive start to the new campaign for Jurgen Klopp's men was soured somewhat by a blow on the injury-front.

The player to have picked up the problem was goalkeeper Alisson.

Whilst taking a goal-kick shortly before the interval, the Brazilian slipped, injuring his calf in the process.

After being replaced by Adrian between the posts at Anfield, speculation subsequently ran rampant regarding the severity of Alisson's problem, as well as how long he would be sidelined for.

Liverpool confirm intention to bring in goalkeeper Andy Lonergan
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (right) leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp, though, provided some clarity on the situation a short time ago, confirming that Liverpool will be without their no.1 for 'the next few weeks':

Jürgen Klopp has confirmed @Alissonbecker will be sidelined for ‘the next few weeks’ due to the calf injury he sustained on Friday.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 12 August 2019

This, meanwhile, has left the Reds paper-thin in the goalkeeping department.

As things stand, Adrian, who only joined Liverpool last week, is set to take over starting duties.

'Decided to work together with him'

In the absence of further depth in the case that Adrian also picks up a problem, though, the Merseysiders are set to dip further into the free agent pool imminently.

As confirmed by Jurgen Klopp, Andy Lonergan is set to join up with his squad once again.

Lonergan, most-recently of Rochdale (on loan from Middlesbrough), trained with Liverpool throughout the summer, amid a goalkeeping crisis.

And the Irish veteran will link back up with the European champions shortly, as 'a solution in the short term':

'The situation was even more difficult a few weeks ago because of injuries. But Caoimhin Kelleher is now in his final steps for being completely back.'

'He's training only [for] five days or so, catching balls and all that stuff. It looks all good but of course we have to find a solution in the short term and that will be, if nothing happens from now to then, Andy Lonergan.'

'He was in with us. He's a brilliant character, a really nice lad and helped us a lot in the pre-season and now we decided to work together with him.'

'So that's a very experienced solution but in the moment when Caoimhin is back then obviously Adrian is No.1, Caoimhin probably No.2 but we have to see how then he can have some games with the U23s or U21s [so] that he gets match practice as well.'

'We have to see how that works but that's then how we cover that situation.'

Jürgen Klopp expects Andy Lonergan to join #LFC on a short-term basis following the calf injury sustained by Alisson Becker.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 12 August 2019