Klopp told to sign Cardiff man to replace long-serving Liverpool star

Liverpool should look to sign Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge as their back-up keeper upon Simon Mignolet’s expected departure this summer.

The Belgian goalkeeper joined the Reds in a £9m deal from Sunderland in 2013 but made just two first-team appearances this season following the capture of Brazil stopper Alisson in a then-record deal.

And with just a year left on his contract, the player is reportedly one of six players that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is looking to offload in order to boost his kitty this summer.

Liverpool, however, may need to overcome an alleged dispute with the goalkeeper’s agent first.

Meanwhile, Etheridge had an impressive season for Cardiff despite their relegation to the Championship and has been tipped up as a target for newly-promoted Aston Villa.

And with the Philippines international also linked with a move to Anfield, Liverpool Double winner Steve Nicol has explained why the Cardiff man would be a good buy.

“I think this would be a good signing,” Nicol told ESPN. “I think the 69 goals he [Etheridge] let in, he probably had no chance with 55 of them, let’s be honest.

“Mignolet has to go, he has to go and play. You need a back-up who is going to be happy to be there but who is of a certain level that whenever something may happen to Alisson, you’re going to put Etheridge in and he’s going to do a great job.

“He’s going to be professional. He’s not going to be pulling off spectacular saves but you know what you’re getting. He’s decent with his feet, he does all the basics right.

“I think this is a good signing. He’s 29 years old, he’s been around, he knows what it’s like to be playing at the lower level so his feet will be firmly on the ground.

CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores his team's third goal past Neil Etheridge of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

“He’ll look at this as, ‘This solidifies my family’s future. If I come to Liverpool for five years, be professional, when I’m called upon do a professional job…’

“I think this is a great move for him and I think this is a good move for Liverpool as well. You know what you’re getting. You’re not panicking whenever somebody happens to your No 1.”

 

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