Liverpool begin search for new goalkeeper after Simon Mignolet seals £6.4m move to Club Brugge

Mignolet returns to his native Belgium in £6.4m deal

Liverpool will seek to sign a replacement for Simon Mignolet this week after the second-choice goalkeeper sealed a £6.4m move to Club Brugge.

The deal, which could rise up to £8.2m in bonuses, sees Mignolet return to his native Belgium having made just two appearances last year.

Liverpool were reluctant to let the 31-year-old go, believing him to be a model professional, but accepted that a switch to Brugge was in the player’s best interests.

Jurgen Klopp will now try to sign a new back-up ‘keeper before the close of the summer transfer window for English clubs on Thursday.

Adrian, the 32-year-old former West Ham goalkeeper, is a free agent and a potential replacement for Mignolet.

Currently, Liverpool’s only cover for first-choice Alisson is the 20-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher, a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

Andy Lonergan, the former Preston North End ‘keeper, trained with Klopp’s squad during pre-season but is not expected to be offered a full-time contract. Loris Karius remains on loan at Besiktas for a second season.

Karius, who is rebuilding his career after his calamitous performance in the 2018 Champions League final, moved to Turkey when Mignolet was denied a loan move to Napoli last summer.

The Belgian joined from Sunderland in 2013 under Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers and held down a regular first-team place for the following three seasons.

Mignolet, who was an unused substitute for Sunday’s Community Shield, leaves Anfield on excellent terms, having made 204 appearances for the club in total.