Liverpool’s No. 2 goalkeeper Simon Mignolet could be allowed to leave the club to get first-team opportunities this summer, with the Reds interested in signing Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, as per Standard. The report further goes on to state that several clubs are interested in signing Mignolet before the start of the next season.
The Saints want to sell one of the three keepers that they currently have in their squad, and it seems like McCarthy will be the one to leave as they English club signed Angus Gunn only last year, while the high wages of Fraser Forster may not see too many takers for him.
McCarthy signed a new contract with the Saints last year making him one of the highest paid players in the Southampton team and his current deal will with the club will expire in 2022. The Englishman joined the side from Crystal Palace in 2016 and has a lot of Premier League experience, having played for Reading, Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Southampton in the Premier League.
In the 2018-19 season, McCarthy played 25 games for Southampton but was usurped by Angus Gunn who became the No. 1 at the club. The 29-year-old has played one game for the English national team, with his sole appearance coming in a friendly game against the United States in 2018.
Good back-up keeper?
Liverpool currently have two goalkeepers on their books who don’t want to play second fiddle to No. 1 goalkeeper, Alisson, who had a fantastic first season with the Merseyside club. Simon Mignolet joins Loris Karius in wanting to leave the club for first-team opportunities. Karius joined Besiktas last year on a two-year loan, while Mignolet is also set to leave Anfield.
Alex McCarthy would be a sensible choice as a No. 2 as he wouldn’t mind sitting on the bench and play when called upon by manager Jurgen Klopp, while he will also not cost too much money for Liverpool, which will also give the Reds the funds to invest in other areas of the pitch as well.
As mentioned previously, McCarthy has vast Premier League experience which will come in handy when he’s thrust into a high-profile match in the Premier League or if he gets the opportunity to play in the cup games which is highly likely.
