Some Preston fans may have even forgotten that Andy Lonergan is still playing, never mind joining up with a Premier League side.
Lonergan is one of the relative success stories of the Preston youth ranks. He’s racked up more than 400 career appearances, spending most of his time in the Championship.
Since leaving North End in 2011, Lonergan has turned out for Leeds United, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Rochdale. Now a free agent, Lonergan is seeking a new club.
Having ended last season in League One, few would have expected Lonergan to go much higher. Maybe as veteran backup for a Championship club, with the 35-year-old possessing vast experience.
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However, the Daily Post note that Lonergan has actually joined up with Liverpool. No, really. Lonergan has jetted out to the United States, joining the Reds on their pre-season tour.
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It’s claimed that Lonergan won’t be signing a deal with Liverpool as things stand, but has just been brought in for training. Alisson Becker and Kamil Grabara are back late from international duty, whilst Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros are both injured.
Lonergan will now join up with Liverpool as an experienced option, and may even stick around well into next week. A move may seem unlikely, but Lonergan has a foot in the door.
Premier League clubs sometimes use English third-choice goalkeepers to fill a homegrown quota spot. Chelsea did with Rob Green, and Manchester United still do with Lee Grant. Brighton even went down a similar route, signing both David Button and Jason Steele last summer.
With that in mind, Lonergan has a chance to change Liverpool’s plans. If he impresses in training, he may well convince Klopp and co to hand him a deal, allowing Kelleher and Grabara to go out on loan.
Serving as third-choice for the Champions League winners doesn’t sound too bad, and whilst that’s still a way off for Lonergan, he’s been given an opportunity to change some minds.