Liverpool have announced the signing of Alex Manninger on a short-term contract, 15 years after the goalkeeper last played in the Premier League.
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The Austrian has been on Liverpool’s pre-season tour in America, and joins after being released by FC Augsburg at the end of last season.
While his experience and knowledge will undoubtedly benefit the squad, it remains to be seen what his arrival means for the other shot-stoppers now in the group.
Manninger will be third-choice ‘keeper for the upcoming season, and is unlikely to see playing time unless Liverpool experience a major injury crisis.
“About 10 days ago I got a phone call that I didn’t expect to be honest, so it was a nice surprise”, Manninger said.
“He gives something back to the group [with his passion] so I look forward to working with him”.
Lallana seemed pleased that Liverpool have got a large part of their transfer business done early, telling the club’s official website: “It’s always good to get the business done early and I’m sure they might be one or two more coming in and maybe meeting us over here”.
“But I’m definitely a guy who wants quality around and that is why I’ve chosen this club now, because it has got it”.
“And I’ll definitely be in the changing room every game, giving my input; I hope, even if it’s only a couple of per cent, it will do the rest”.
However, Klopp has revealed that he has been signed so Liverpool could send their young goalkeepers out on loan.
Liverpool were keen to bring in a back-up goalkeeper, having already let Danny Ward, Adam Bogdan and Ryan Fulton leave on loan this summer.
The 39-year-old spent four seasons in Arsenal’s squad between 1997 and 2001.
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Manninger has been training at Melwood for the past few weeks and accompanied Jürgen Klopp’s squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, which now involves training at Stanford University before a friendly against Chelsea next Thursday.
