Liverpool have not ruled out a move for Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen this summer as the club steps up planning around the uncertain future of Alisson Becker at Anfield.
The Premier League side are actively drawing up contingency plans and have intensified their work on possible replacements, with Mamardashvili still highly regarded but not yet seen as fully ready to become the undisputed first-choice keeper if Alisson goes.
That urgency has sharpened because Juventus have already agreed terms in principle with Alisson on a three-year contract that includes an option for a further season, according to people familiar with the matter. The Brazil international turns 34 later this year, and Liverpool’s hierarchy remain wary of handing lengthy new deals to players entering the later stages of their careers.
Verbruggen has strengthened his reputation at Brighton and is now viewed as one of the Premier League’s standout young goalkeepers. Sources said he would be open to leaving this summer, which gives Liverpool another route if they decide the position needs a reset rather than a short-term patch. Brighton, meanwhile, are already preparing for that possibility by viewing Carl Rushworth as a ready-made successor after his loan spell with Coventry City.
The Dutch goalkeeper is not the only name Liverpool have considered. Earlier this month, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was discussed internally as a possible experienced option, underlining how serious the club is about covering itself if Alisson’s exit becomes more than speculation. But the direction of travel is clear: Liverpool are prioritising younger profiles with long-term upside, even as they keep faith in Mamardashvili’s quality.
That is the tension in their thinking. Mamardashvili remains well regarded within the club, but Liverpool’s decision is that he is not quite ready to fill the void Alisson would leave, and that judgment is forcing them to keep the market open. Coventry City are also eager to turn Rushworth’s Brighton loan into a permanent move, which could help set off the chain of departures and replacements around the goalkeeper market.
For Liverpool, the next step is likely to be a careful test of the market rather than a rushed commitment, with Alisson’s future still the key variable. If Juventus’ interest holds and the Brazilian decides to move on, the club will need more than admiration for Mamardashvili — it will need certainty in goal.
