Although Liverpool have been widely tipped to sign a new goalkeeper to provide both cover and competition for Simon Mignolet, in a surprising move, they have offered a new deal to long-standing number-two Brad Jones.
The Australian shot-stopper moved to Anfield from Middlesbrough back in 2010 and it was expected that the 33-year old would be on his way out the door this summer when his deal expires having made only 25-appearances for the first team since arriving on Merseyside five years ago. Now, it would appear that the club has changed their mind and will look to retain the services of Jones for at least a little while longer with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers confirming that talks are ongoing.
“There have been discussions,” said the Northern Irishman when asked about negotiations between the two parties. “Obviously, Brad is in his last year but nothing has been resolved on that.” Jones looked set for an extended spell in the first team back in December when Mignolet was dropped for an “indefinite period” following a poor run of form, but a thigh injury picked up away to Burnley FC on Boxing Day ended his chance to make a claim for the number one spot.
Despite his limited chances at Anfield, the Australian born ‘keeper has been angling for a new deal with the club and has kept the right attitude all along. “I have been playing that way since I signed my first contract (to try and win another one). Everyone wants to link other players with us and that is probably not going to change,” he said before the turn of the year. “We will get linked with another 20 goalkeepers now but I won’t let it affect me. Every game that I play, I will just go out and do my best.”
