Liverpool has joined the queue to sign England custodian Nick Pope. Pope had a breakthrough last term as he got regular first-team opportunities with Burnley as Tom Heaton was sidelined due to a long-term injury. The youngster impressed everyone and has even made it to the plane for England’s squad to Russia. Even after Heaton’s return from injury, Sean Dyche preferred to use Pope.
It is no secret that Liverpool are in need of a world-class goalkeeper after what happened in the Champions League final and according to latest reports, they are going to bid £15m for the custodian. The Englishman will be a far cheaper option than Alisson Becker who has been continuously linked with a move to Anfield.
Pope has still two years of contract remaining with the Clarets but it is clear that one of the Englishmen will have to depart from the Turf Moor as both Heaton and Pope wouldn’t settle for the no2 position. Ideally, Dyche will like to have both of them at their disposal and one might see one of them playing in Domestic Cups and European competitions and other in League games. But Dyche needs to be prepared if Pope leaves and we look at three possible replacements he can go after.
Rob Elliot
The Newcastle United custodian was used in the initial phase of last season by Rafael Benitez. But since Martin Dubravka’s arrival in January, Elliot has been on the bench and might look to make a move in the summer. The Magpies have gone on to sign Dubravka on a permanent basis and that might be the end of the road for Elliot’s Newcastle United career. He can be a good backup option at Turf Moor.
Joe Hart
The veteran Englishman has fallen down the pecking order in the past few years and missed out on the plane to Russia for the World cup. It is clear that he doesn’t have much of a future at the Etihad and Dyche can bring in the experienced 31-year-old as a backup option so that he can provide some good competition for places at Turf Moor.
Read more: Burnley Looking To Reunite With 20m Rated Former Wonderboy: An Astute Move By Dyche?
Sam Johnstone
The Manchester United goalkeeper spent a season on loan with Aston Villa where he helped them to reach the brink of Premier League qualification. It is still not clear whether Villa will make a move to sign him permanently given their financial trouble and that might give Burnley a chance to snap him up for free in the summer.
