LIVERPOOL are lining up a shock transfer move for Stoke outcast Jack Butland, according to reports.
With No1 Alisson injured, Jurgen Klopp was forced to turn to back-up goalkeeper Adrian for the clash at Aston Villa last week.
Liverpool are eyeing up Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland as a back-up option to AlissonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But it did not go according to plan for the Spaniard as he shipped seven goals in a humiliating defeat, including the opener when he passed the ball to Jack Grealish inside his own box.
And according to the Sunday Mirror, Liverpool could turn to Butland to replace as Adrian as the No2.
Butland, 27, is one of Stoke’s top earners but has not played for the club since a 5-0 defeat to Leeds in July.
Welsh international Adam Davies has claimed the first-choice spot under Michael O’Neill with the Potters sat 13th in the Championship table.
Butland broke on to the scene at Birmingham and made his senior England debut aged just 19 to become the Three Lions’ youngest goalkeeper.
A £4million move to Stoke and a further eight caps followed with the Bristol-born stopper tipped by many to be the national team’s No1 for many years.
However, after relegation with Stoke in 2018, he has struggled for form in the second tier with no one meeting the club’s £30m valuation for him.
That asking price will now have dropped significantly.
Butland has been frozen out at Stoke and has not featured since a 5-0 defeat to Leeds on July 9Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Adrian did not cover himself in glory when he filled in for Alisson as he conceded seven at Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
His contract expires at the end of this season but a transfer could still be done before Friday’s domestic transfer deadline.
And that could see Butland thrown straight in with a debut against Merseyside rivals and table-toppers Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday as Alisson is expected to be out for a few weeks still with his shoulder injury.
Liverpool did sign goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense this week as well.
However, the 17-year-old is not expected to be thrown into first-team action just yet but instead link up with the development teams.
The players Premier League sides may still sign in the ‘domestic’ window
Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
Touching moment Jack Butland FaceTimes 11-year-old kid who went viral for practising his goalkeeping in back garden
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
