For all the recent talk about players leaving Liverpool on free transfers, and the constant speculation regarding the club’s planned midfield revamp, the engine room isn’t the only area in Jurgen Klopp’s squad which he’ll need to improve this summer.
Alisson Becker is Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, and arguably the best shot-stopper in the world. But the Reds could find themselves needing to sign new competition for the Brazilian this summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to move on in search of starting football, having served valiantly as Liverpool’s number two over the past three seasons. Now 24, no-one will begrudge the Republic of Ireland international an exit.
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Meanwhile, third-choice Adrian is one of a number of players out of contract in the summer. Should the Spaniard’s deal not be renewed, Klopp will be left short on senior back-up to Alisson.
The likes of Harvey Davies, Marcelo Pitaluga and Vitezslav Jaros could all be in contention to serve as a youthful understudy, looking to follow in Kelleher’s footsteps with the Irishman initially third-choice himself at Anfield before usurping Adrian. Yet, the Reds would still be in the market for an experienced number two.
In such circumstances, perhaps you’d expect Liverpool to look for a senior goalkeeper who would be available on a free transfer. That is what happened when they initially signed Adrian, after all.
A look at the list of goalkeepers soon to be free-agents and the likes of West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski, Inter Milan's Samir Handanovic, and Villarreal's former Liverpool shot-stopper Pepe Reina perhaps stand out most.
Yet one criticism of the Reds’ retention of Adrian in recent years has been that he takes up a non-homegrown space that could be used by a player who actually plays. Perhaps this is something Klopp will readdress this summer?
Admittedly, there are no homegrown goalkeepers of suitable quality available on free transfers this summer. But there could be one available for a cut-price fee ahead of his deal expiring in 2024.
Along with Alisson, Brentford goalkeeper David Raya has been one of the standout shot-stoppers in the Premier League this season, with his form crucial to the Bees remaining in outside contention of qualifying for Europe at this late stage of the campaign.
The Spain international has maintained such form despite facing an uncertain future, having rejected two offers of a new deal at the Gtech Community Stadium - first last year then again in January.
"I don't think it's the right time to sign a contract at the moment," Raya said back in February. "I'm really, really happy and right now I'm just thinking about doing the best for the team and trying to push for Europe.
"I was offered a new contract last year and one in January but we didn't reach an agreement. For now a new contract is secondary, the most important thing is the team and the games. We'll see where we are in May.
"There's nothing I can say about what's going to happen in the summer. I don't even know what's going to happen on Saturday."
Meanwhile, he would echo such sentiments on the ‘Yours, Mine, Away!’ Podcast last month.
"Obviously it’s nice to hear that clubs are after you and asking about you and looking for you," Raya said. "These clubs are the biggest in the world and every player wants to play for these clubs.
“I have a year left and I don’t know what will happen in the summer. I’ve said before that I’ve had two contracts that I’ve turned down because they weren’t the offers I was looking for.
"I want to push myself to the highest level to the Champions League, the Europa League and to win those trophies. I want to experience that and I’m at that stage in my footballing career."
Understandably, his stance has left Brentford boss Thomas Frank convinced that Raya will move on.
"If he turns it down twice that's a signal he doesn't want that," the Dane admitted earlier this year. "I thought we put two really good offers out there but that's fine it's a free world we can't force anyone.
"I hope he will stay forever of course that looks like it could be very difficult with the contract situation he must be at least £40m if not more."
Whether such a fee is realistic remains to be seen, but, having signed Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer from Lazio last summer, Brentford arguably already have their replacement for Raya in place. So does the Spaniard leave for a cut-price fee in the summer, or depart on a free transfer at the end of his contract in 2024?
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all reportedly interested in moving for the goalkeeper this summer, but with Liverpool potentially in the market for a new shot-stopper, should they consider the Brentford man themselves?
Statistically, he has been a class above the rest this season. His total of 138 saves is more than any other Premier League goalkeeper, while he also leads the way in terms of passes (1,297), passes per game (38.15), and accurate long balls (364).
Clearly comfortable with his feet, Raya is a ‘sweeper-keeper’ who can play out from the back with ease and is happy covering the space behind his backline which enables the Bees to play with a high line. In other words, exactly how Klopp likes his side to line up.
Also a vocal goalkeeper, only Emiliano Martinez can better his total of 46 high claims. Meanwhile, he has been an ever-present for Brentford and kept a respectable 10 clean sheets along the way.
Still only 27, Raya's best years are still ahead of him, too. And, courtesy of joining Blackburn Rovers as a 16-year-old and spending his entire senior career in England, he crucially qualifies as homegrown.
Raya and Brentford travel to Anfield on Saturday. Defeat to Liverpool would be a big blow to their hopes of qualifying for Europe, and would likely push the Spaniard closer to the exit door.
And Klopp is already a fan, having lauded the goalkeeper's distribution in particular after his side drew 3-3 away at Brentford in September 2021. "The goalkeeper could wear the No 10 shirt," he said. "He has sent several incredible balls, exactly what you should do when you play against us."
Admittedly, if Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester United all move for Raya, the Reds are unlikely to rival them. All three clubs will arguably be in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper this summer, while Liverpool need only a back-up.
In truth, it would also be a major surprise if the club spent considerably on a new number two. And at 27, Raya is unlikely to want to sit on a bench either, though he would at least earn starting status in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions.
Yet that seems unlikely to be enough to keep Kelleher, who Klopp once called the best number two goalkeeper in the world. Raya is more than good enough to take over that label, but while it would be a good move for the Reds in terms of signing a quality replacement, it is unlikely to be for the goalkeeper.
If he were a few years older, maybe he would be a more realistic signing. Even if he had a burning desire to test himself against Alisson, Frank's quoted price makes such a swoop a non-starter.
On Saturday, Anfield will get a closer look at Raya’s talents and see why he’s so highly-coveted in the first place, hoping they aren’t left cursing him too much come the final whistle. While he ticks so many Liverpool boxes when it comes to playing talent, his availability ultimately appears to make him the right goalkeeper at the wrong time for the Reds.
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