Liverpool impending goalkeeper issues could be solved by Vitezslav Jaros

© IMAGO

Liverpool are set for an overhaul in the goalkeeper department this summer with long-serving coach John Achterberg and assistant Jack Robinson leaving

There are question marks over the ENTIRE first-team goalkeeping roster meanwhile with transfer uncertainty surrounding all of Liverpool’s three senior goalkeepers. 

Alisson Becker, 31, is understood to be open to a move to the Saudi Pro League, Caoimhin Kelleher is a reported target for Celtic, among others, as the Irishman eyes first-team football. 

Adrian San Miguel looks certain to depart for LaLiga as the Spanish veteran seeks a return home. 

Liverpool sent Vitezslav Jaros out on loan during the January transfer window with the Czech under-21 international requiring senior minutes. 

Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga was chosen as his destination, with their first-choice goalkeeper having to undergo surgery on a torn ACL. 

Kjell Scherpen, on loan from Brighton, incredibly played the first half of the season with that knee injury but it ultimately proved too much to bear, with the 6’9 giant opting for surgery for the sake of his long-term career. 

Graz went into the loan market for a replacement and turned to the 22-year-old Liverpool man. 

Having previously been on loan at St Patrick’s Athletic - where he won an FAI Cup and the club’s player of the year award in 2021 - as well as Notts County and Stockport County, this was a big step up for Jaros. 

He stepped into the breach wonderfully well, earning the plaudits of the league’s official website as one of the top goalkeepers in the division, and ended up winning a league and cup double by the end of the season. 

© IMAGO - Vitezslav Jaros

Jaros even kept a clean sheet on the final matchday as Graz defeated Austria Klagenfurt, 2-0, with goals coming from Gregory Wuthrich and Amady Camara. 

It crowns an incredible Austrian league season, where Red Bull Salzburg have been toppled as title holders after an unbroken streak of 10 leagues in a row. 

Graz have made great progress in recent seasons under two-time manager of year Christian Ilzer, who was appointed in 2020. They have finished third and second - on two occasions - before finally overhauling the Red Bulls this season. 

It was the first time in 13 years that Austria’s league title was decided on the final day, with Graz heading into the final round of fixtures with a two-point lead. 

The Red Bulls did their part, winning 7-1 against LASK, but ultimately the damage was done before the last day. 

Jaros stars in historic season

Salzburg have already announced Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders as their new manager for next season as they attempt to wrest their title back. 

Graz have now won the league four times and the double twice, following their success back in 1999. 

Cup glory came at the start of May against SK Rapid Wien, with Jaros starring in goal during the 2-1 win in the final. He was also involved in Graz’s run to the UEFA Europa Conference League last 16, where they were beaten by Lille. 

He signs off having played 21 times for Graz, keeping seven clean sheets. 

Jaros, who joined the Liverpool academy from Slavia Prague in 2017 and won an FA Youth Cup in 2019, signed a new contract with the Reds back in January before heading on loan and could well end up with a bigger role to play under Arne Slot next season if there is indeed to be a goalkeeping clearout. 

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