Liverpool reject offer for 20-year-old in first team training – his likely move explained – Liverpool FC

Liverpool have rejected a bid from Portugal for 20-year-old goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek, although the young Pole could be expected to leave this summer.

Mrozek spent the entire 2023/24 campaign training as part of Jurgen Klopp’s first team, working day in and day out with Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher.

But after gaining more experience on the pitch with the U21s and traveling with the senior team, this summer could bring a change for the player who turns 21 in September.

According to Polish outlet Meczyka, Liverpool have already rejected a loan offer from Portugal’s Vitoria SC.

That offer, claims journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk, was “among others”, but it included a purchase option, which probably explains the club’s rejection.

Other parties, however, retain their interest in Mrožek, and a summer loan is not ruled out either – two clubs in his native Poland are looking for an agreement with Liverpool.

They are FKS Stal Mielec and MKS Cracovia, who play in the top Ekstraklasa, and the former is described as “closer” to signing the young stopper.

Stal Mielec finished 11th last season and Mateusz Kochalski, who won the Ekstraklasa Goalkeeper of the Year award, was their No.1.

Cracovia, meanwhile, finished 13th and count Sebastian Madejski as their first choice, while centre-back Kamil Glik is the most notable name in their squad.

Liverpool could be wary of lending to any club, especially given the struggles of another goalkeeper, Jakub Ojrzynski, who has not been out on loan.

Mrožek’s compatriot Ojrzynski joined Poland’s Radomiak Radom on a 2022/23 season deal, but his stay was cut short in January due to a lack of performances.

A move to Dutch side Den Bosch went little better last season and he now returns to Merseyside this summer with doubts over his future.

Mrozek is clearly highly regarded among Liverpool’s staff, but his next move comes amid a major shake-up in the goalkeeping department, with goalkeeping boss John Achterberg joining Al-Ettifaq.

Achterberg spent 15 years at the Reds and developed an encyclopedic knowledge not only of goalkeepers at the club, but of those who have since left and, obviously, of the best youth and senior talent around the world.

The Dutchman was joined through the exit by assistant Jack Robinson, and 33-year-old Fabian Otte came as the new head of the coaching staff of the first team goalkeepers.

Brazilian legend Claudio Taffarel will remain in the squad, but Mrožek’s decision comes amid uncertainty surrounding the situation at Liverpool as a whole.