Liverpool
Liverpool eye James Trafford as summer goalkeeper search takes shape
Liverpool are back at a spot they know all too well, looking world-class one year and then scrambling the next. Reports from TEAMtalk suggest the Reds have put Manchester City’s James Trafford on their summer shortlist. It’s a move that definitely hogs headlines, especially considering the massive rivalry between the two. After spending £440 million last summer to defend their Premier League title, Liverpool’s season has been derailed by constant injuries and inconsistent form.
Now, they’re stuck fighting just to get into the Champions League and are staring down a trophyless season. A big part of the problem has been between the sticks; Alisson has been sidelined too often, and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who cost £29 million, is finding the transition to the Premier League much tougher than anyone hoped.
With Juventus now showing real interest in bringing Alisson to Serie A, Liverpool’s recruitment team is trying to get ahead of a potential exit. Trafford joined City from Burnley in July 2025 for about £31 million, but he’s been stuck playing mostly cup games. With only three league starts to his name, his minutes have been limited to the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and the odd dead-rubber Champions League match. Manchester City still want around £30 million for him, and plenty of clubs, including Newcastle, Chelsea, and now Liverpool, are watching closely.
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Do Liverpool actually need James Trafford, or are they chasing the wrong solution?
To be honest, the logic here seems a bit thin. Trafford is only 23 and clearly has talent. He looked solid in the cups and made some massive saves in that Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal, showing he can handle the big stage. But his stats tell a different story: a 73.33% save percentage in his three league games means he’s letting in a goal about every 68 minutes, which isn’t exactly elite-level yet.
Trafford’s biggest issue is proving he can do it week-in, week-out in the top flight; playing cup games for City is a world away from the pressure of being Liverpool’s number one every Sunday. Plus, Liverpool already have Mamardashvili, who has a much better track record from his time at Valencia. Signing Trafford might just create a crowded, expensive mess in the goalkeeper room instead of fixing anything.
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He might push Mamardashvili for the starting spot, but that feels more like a lack of a clear plan than actual squad depth. Liverpool’s real problems this season go way beyond the keeper; the squad is bloated, and the players haven’t really gelled under Arne Slot. Spending another £30 million on a keeper who hasn’t even held down a starting job in the Premier League yet feels like more of the same reactive, scattered transfer business we’ve seen from Anfield lately.