Long serving captain Steven Gerrard and veteran defender Glen Johnson won’t be the only players leaving Liverpool this summer with reserve ‘keeper Brad Jones announcing via social media that his time at Anfield is over when his contract expires this summer.
Despite rumours of the Reds opening talks with the Australian shot-stopper over a renewal, the 33-year is now officially on the hunt for a new club. After extending his well wishes to the captain, Jones opened up about his time on Merseyside. “I would also like to add my thanks to all the LFC fans for the support that I have received over the past 5yrs. It has been the best and worst periods of my life and I have always felt the warmth of these amazing people,” he wrote on his Instagram account. “I would have loved to have stayed at the club I have supported since the age of 5 but sometimes the dream ends. I got to play in some amazing games, 2 Merseyside derbies with one being at Wembley which will stay with me forever.”
Given a run in the team when incumbent ‘keeper Simon Mignolet was going through a rough patch, the Australian conceded five goals in two matches before injuring his thigh fifteen minutes into the meeting with Burnley FC on Boxing Day and he hasn’t featured since.
Liverpool have long been linked with making a move for a shot-stopper that will not only be able to provide cover for Mignolet, but also give the Belgian some healthy competition for a spot in the starting eleven. While it remains to be seen just how ambitious the Reds plans to be in the market this summer with the front-line needing a major overhaul, the availability of Chelsea veteran Petr Cech and the ongoing contract wrangles of Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic could prompt them to make a move. Regardless, we wish Brad all the best in his future endeavours.
