Veteran former Arsenal keeper Alex Manninger eyes shock return to Premier League with Liverpool
ALEX MANNINGER is training with Liverpool in the hope of earning a contract - having last played a Premier League game 14 years ago.
Veteran goalkeeper Manninger spent last season at German side Augsburg, making just two appearances, having left Arsenal in 2002 where he spent five years as backup to David Seaman.
But he could now be set for a move to Anfield as back-up goalkeeper at the ripe old age of 39 as third choice behind Simon Mignolet and summer signing Loris Karius.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp knows Manninger well and invited the Austrian international to train with the club at Melwood in pre-season ahead of a possible one-year deal.
Arsenal fans will remember Manninger for his 63 starts in all competitions as understudy to England legend Seaman - winning the double in 1998 but spending most of his time at Highbury on the bench.
related articles
And Klopp likes the fact he could become a mentor to the younger players in the squad, having had a wealth of experience around Europe - mostly as second choice - with the likes of Juventus, Espanyol and Fiorentina.
Karius signed for the Reds from Klopp's former club Mainz in a £4.7 million deal this summer, with the 22-year-old expected to take over from Simon Mignolet as Klopp’s first choice.
Young Liverpool goalkeepers Danny Ward, who playd in Wales' first Euro 2016 match against Slovakia, and Ryan Fulton have been sent out on loan to Huddersfield and Chesterfield respectively.
Highly-rated Ward has agreed a new five-year contract with the Reds, and will put pen to paper on his return to Liverpool after a three-week break.
Reserve keeper last season Adam Bogdan is widely tipped to leave the club permanently, with a host of Championship sides interested.