Alisson injury forces Liverpool to snap up veteran goalkeeper

Liverpool have handed veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan a one-year deal, according to reports in the local media.

The 35-year-old is poised to be unveiled as the club’s fourth signing of the summer – and second goalkeeper signing – in a matter of hours – and could even make the bench for Wednesday’s European Super Cup final against Chelsea in Istanbul.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has been forced to act after seeing No 1 Alisson suffer a calf injury in Friday’s Premier League opener against Norwich, with reports over the weekend claiming the Brazilian faces a minimum of six weeks on the sidelines.

“It’s the calf and that’s it, Klopp said. “He couldn’t carry on, that’s not a good sign, and we have to see. Wednesday he will not play. With all my experience I can say that already.”

Second-choice stopper Adrian came on to replace Alisson, just days after arriving the club – having been released by West Ham during the summer.

And with youngsters Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros both injured, Liverpool boss Klopp has been forced to act.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Klopp has agreed to sign former Leeds, Preston and Middlesbrough keeper Lonergan as cover for Adrian – and could make the squad for Wednesday’s match in Turkey.

The 35-year-old is still training at Melwood, having gone on their summer tour of the USA, and now looks set to be rewarded with the unlikeliest of fairytale endings to his career.

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