Journalist claims Liverpool star is set to leave with Premier League replacement considered

Alisson likely to depart as Lynch reveals previous Liverpool interest in Premier League keeper David Lynch expects Alisson Becker to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and has identified Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as a player the club have previously tracked. Speaking on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch praised Alisson’s performance against Crystal Palace but suggested that one outstanding display would not determine Liverpool’s longer-term decision. His comments point towards a potentially significant summer in the goalkeeping department. However, he did not report an agreed Alisson departure or confirm that Liverpool are currently negotiating for Verbruggen. Alisson brilliance does not change Lynch’s expectation Alisson was central to Liverpool’s victory at Palace, producing the kind of saves that have defined his Anfield career. Lynch described the performance as “absolutely back to his best”, while arguing that Liverpool must consider a broader picture when assessing another contract. “I don’t think this is going to convince Liverpool to give him a new contract,” he said. “I think we’re moving towards a situation where he leaves at the end of the season, but he’s got a lot of matches to contribute to before then.” That distinction matters. Lynch believes Alisson can still decide important games while also expecting the club to move towards a different long-term arrangement. The Palace performance demonstrated his continuing ability. It did not, in Lynch’s view, remove concerns about availability or consistency across an entire campaign. Contract and injury history shape assessment Discussing the likelihood of an extension, Lynch was emphatic. “I’d be quite frankly amazed if he stays because he’s out of contract at the end of the season,” he said. He cited Alisson’s injury history and what he considers a decline from the extraordinary standards established earlier in his Liverpool career. “He was fantastic yesterday, but in general we’re seeing a decline in performances from that absolutely incredible level that he used to be at,” Lynch added. “I would expect him to depart at the end of the season. Absolutely.” Those remarks represent Lynch’s expectation rather than an announcement from Liverpool or the goalkeeper. No destination was established during the discussion. They nevertheless underline the difficult judgement involved: how much weight Liverpool should place on a player’s highest level compared with the frequency with which he can deliver it. Verbruggen interest predates Brighton move Asked about potential alternatives, Lynch offered one specific piece of information about Verbruggen. “What I can say with confidence is I know for a fact that Liverpool were tracking him prior to his move to Brighton,” he said. That confirms previous interest, rather than a fresh approach. It does, however, explain why the Dutch goalkeeper would be a plausible name to revisit if Liverpool enter the market. The presenter suggested Verbruggen would have a year remaining on his contract in the summer. Lynch said he had not previously realised that, so the contractual detail should not be treated as information he independently supplied. His assessment of the player was more straightforward. “He’s a player that they’ve tracked for a long time. I think he’s done fairly well at Brighton as well,” Lynch said. “That’s one I would say keep an eye on, definitely.” Mamardashvili still has an opportunity to convince Liverpool’s decision would also depend on Giorgi Mamardashvili’s progress. Lynch felt the goalkeeper’s shot-stopping had improved, but identified his distribution as an area requiring further work. “It’s up to Mamardashvili to convince. I don’t think he quite has,” he said. “I think he’s got back to his level in terms of shot-stopping this season, but it’s the in-possession stuff that is a little bit of a worry around him.” The possibility of recruiting another goalkeeper therefore remains conditional. Liverpool must first determine whether they trust an existing option to take over. For Lynch, an Alisson departure looks increasingly likely. What follows is less settled, with Mamardashvili’s performances and Liverpool’s assessment of alternatives set to shape the next decision.