Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes has admitted that he turned down an opportunity to join Liverpool in the summer.

The Portuguese shot-stopper, who has been capped 14 times by his country, was not willing to be backup to Alisson Becker at the time but he now says he regrets the decision:

“I had opportunities very early in the transfer window. Especially one, in a very big European team (Liverpool). Honestly, it was not my goal at that time to be number 2. But if it had happened at the end of the transfer window, maybe my choice would have been different.”

Lopes has not played for Lyon this campaign, having failed to make the bench since August so it is not a surprise that he feels he made the wrong decision.

Why were Liverpool pursuing Lopes?

Early in the summer, veteran keeper Adrian rejected a new one-year contract extension with the Spaniard returning to his homeland to join former club Real Betis.

There was also speculation about Caoimhin Kelleher at the time, with the Republic of Ireland international subject of a bid from Nottingham Forest, so adding reinforcements in goal came under consideration.

It’s unlikely that the Reds will revisit a move for the Lyon keeper

Following the 34-year-old’s decision to reject the move to Anfield, the Merseyside club wrapped up a deal for another goalkeeper: Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Georgian international will spend this campaign out on loan at Valencia but he will become part of the first-team squad in July. With that being the case, you can’t see there being a need for additional numbers between the posts anytime soon, unless Alisson and/or Kelleher decide to leave at the end of the season. Lopes has very much missed the boat.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here