Liverpool are in an unusual position in the Premier League. The Reds sit fifth in the Premier League table for the 2026-27 season and third in the UEFA Champions League. However, manager Andoni Iraola is not too impressed. He is aiming for a significant overhaul of the team, which is why they are looking out for not one but two goalkeepers ahead of the January transfer window. According to reports, the Reds have shortlisted two promising goalkeepers: Belgian keeper Maarten Vandevoordt [who plays for RB Leipzig] and Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen [who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion].
Liverpool’s main goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, is expected to leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the current season, i.e., in 2027. Juventus are already in contact with the veteran keeper for a potential deal. That is the main reason why the Reds are looking out for Verbruggen and Vandevoordt this season.
🚨@DaveD0106: #LFC do seem to be looking at a potential exit for Alisson. Verbruggen and Vandevoort being spoken to says a lot. We’d all be ecstatic if he said but you get the feeling this could be our last season wit the holy goalie. https://t.co/FCBNwlpb0p
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) October 30, 2026
The good news for both is that Liverpool are not too keen on renewing Becker’s contract. Recent reports suggest that the Reds haven’t formally extended their hand towards Alisson Becker for another contract extension. If he leaves Anfield for Juventus or any other club next year, the Reds will simply let him go. The 34-year-old Brazilian has been part of the Reds since 2018. He was also part of the team that won the 2024-25 Premier League title.
But what makes these two goalkeepers so special? The Reds need a goalkeeper who is agile, technically secure, and capable of being more than just a simple goalkeeper. The 24-year-old Verbruggen seems to be the right fit for Liverpool, as per OneFootball. He has done wonders for Brighton & Hove Albion ever since he joined the club in 2023. Verbruggen has maintained 6 clean sheets in 9 Premier League matches, while he has conceded just 7 goals. He also starred in Brighton’s recent victory against Manchester City. Verbruggen performed astonishing saves as Brighton defeated the Sky Blues 1-0.
Meanwhile, Vandevoordt has also attracted the attention of Liverpool with his performance in the 2026-27 Bundesliga. In 7 matches he played for RB Leipzig in the current season, the Belgian keeper maintained 4 clean sheets and conceded 11 goals. He joined RB Leipzig in 2024 and was part of the team that finished 3rd in the 2025-26 Bundesliga. He is one of the youngest goalkeepers to have made an appearance in the UEFA Champions League, and his 3D approach to goalkeeping makes him a great fit for the Reds, who need a capable replacement for Alisson Becker by next year.
It is tough to say whom Liverpool will choose between the two keepers. However, if we let stats do the talking, the odds are heavily in favor of Verbruggen over Vandevoordt. Apart from that, the Dutch goalkeeper has a minor edge over his Belgian counterpart. He has valuable Premier League experience as part of the Seagulls, in comparison to Vandevoordt, who is yet to make his Premier League debut. The final decision remains with the management led by Andoni Iraola.
