New Liverpool goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans is unconcerned by his transfer fee and is intent on becoming first choice at Anfield
Lucca Brughmans was back in action for Genk at the weekend after signing for Liverpool
Lucca Brughmans was back in action for Genk at the weekend after signing for Liverpool(Image: BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)
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Lucca Brughmans has declared his intention to become Liverpool's long-term successor to Alisson Becker - and has dismissed feeling any pressure from his record-breaking transfer fee.
The Reds swooped for highly-rated 18-year-old goalkeeper Brughmans on deadline day last week in a deal that could ultimately see them pay £30million to Belgian side Genk.
The teenager will spend the season back on loan at the Jupiler Pro League side before making a move to Anfield next summer, and was named man-of-the-match in Genk's goalless draw at Anderlecht on Sunday.
And Brughmans has signed up with the aim of becoming first-choice between the sticks for Liverpool, a position currently held by Alisson ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
“I am not going to lay Liverpool’s plan on the table in its entirety, although the intention is to become their first-choice goalkeeper in the long term," he said.
“I will do everything I can to achieve that, step by step. That is why I am back in Genk now and want to achieve the highest possible with the team here."
The deal means Brughmans, who has made just 16 senior appearances for Genk, has become the most expensive teenage goalkeeper in the world and is already among the top 10 most costly keepers of all time.
But of the price tag, the player said: "I leave those figures to the professionals. I have good people around me who keep my feet on the ground.”
As is customary for every player out on loan, Liverpool will have representatives keeping tabs on the progress of Brughmans ahead of his arrival next summer.
And speaking to Het Nieuwsblad via Sports Witness, Brughmans said: “The coaches (of Genk and Liverpool) are in contact with each other regarding my physical condition, for example.
"Liverpool also comes to watch my matches. It is good that I can learn from both sides."
Asked about the interest from and subsequent deal with Liverpool, Brughmans added: “I mainly stayed grounded. During that free weekend, I lived in a dream for three days, but after the signing, I flew back and returned to reality.
"I immediately switched gears to be back with my team."