View: Liverpool cannot afford to sit still as Everton join race for 2025 target
Liverpool will need to act fast to avoid losing out on transfer target Anthony Patterson to Everton next summer.
The Sunderland goalkeeper is on the shortlist of both Merseyside clubs [HITC, 15 September] and is expected to be on the move next year if the Black Cats are resigned to another campaign in the second tier.
The 24-year-old is attracting interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, with Richard Hughes facing serious competition for his signature.
Liverpool must act fast to secure Anthony Patterson signing
Liverpool have already moved to secure their next long-term goalkeeper with the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will arrive at Anfield at the end of the season from Valencia.
While the Georgian’s impending arrival has no ties to the future of Alisson, it does suggest that the Brazilian will be calling time on his Liverpool career in the next couple of years.
It does, however, all but confirm that number two Caoimhin Kelleher is set to leave the Reds at the end of the season. The Republic of Ireland international has vocalised his desire to play regular first-team football [BBC Sport].
Should Arne Slot add Patterson to his goalkeeping ranks next season, Liverpool will have two of the best young goalkeepers in football vying for the number-one spot for the next decade if it all goes to plan.
The situation with Kelleher should be a warning to the Reds about just how sour the situation can turn when a top-quality goalkeeper feels like they are too good for the bench.
With Mamardashvili already through the door, there is every chance that Patterson could opt to move to elsewhere to pursue more promising prospects of first-team football.
Anthony Patterson could move to a Premier League rival
Liverpool and Everton are in safe hands with Alisson and Jordan Pickford respectively, despite the latter’s abysmal start to the season, and both still have plenty of years left at the top-level.
Ederson’s long-term future is more precarious at Man City after talks of a prospective move to Saudi Arabia and they could steal a march on their Premier League rivals in the race for Patterson.
After a quiet summer at Anfield with only Federico Chiesa joining the first team ranks this season, Richard Hughes needs to be more efficient next summer and must start laying the groundwork now if Patterson is a genuine target for 2025. Only time will tell.
In other Liverpool news, here is how the Reds rated against Nottingham Forest.
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