Aston Villa's Martinez was linked with Manchester United throughout last summer - now he's been touted for Liverpool
Emi Martinez of Aston Villa
Emi Martinez of Aston Villa(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Emi Martinez has been touted as a strong replacement for Alisson at Liverpool.
There is a lot of speculation about Alisson’s future at Anfield and he has been linked with a summer transfer.
It was the same situation for Aston Villa’s Martinez last summer after his tears at the end of the last match of the 2024/25 season at Villa Park.
The Argentine was linked with a transfer to Manchester United throughout the summer before eventually staying put at Villa Park and going on to help Unai Emery’s side finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League.
Alisson has been heavily linked with Juventus and former Liverpool and Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Martinez would be a good replacement should the goalkeeper leave Anfield.
When asked if Manchester City’s young goalkeeper James Trafford would be a strong option to replace Alisson, Friedel told GOAL: “Possibly, but you need someone with a skin of leather, you need someone who’s going to be able to play in all the big matches.
“You need someone who expects to win the Champions League, not just play in it. Expects to win the Champions League, win the Premier League, win the FA Cup, and win the League Cup.
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“It’s a different type of mentality that you need when you’re a goalkeeper at these top clubs.
“And it’s not easy to find, you know, and Trafford’s a really good goalkeeper. I like him a lot, but that’s also a lot to load onto him.
“Maybe the likes of an Emi Martínez, someone like that, that can take all the games all the time, any criticism, any plaudits, and they know how to deal with it.
“There aren’t many out there that you can just pinpoint and say: ‘He’s our guy’. That’s a hard decision.”
Unai Emery and his squad have brought silverware back to Villa Park by lifting the Europa League crown. And to celebrate, the Birmingham Mail have produced this stunning souvenir special edition, charting Villa's path to glory.
It is full of interviews, features, striking images and celebrations as we look back at a season to remember.
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