Why do Liverpool want to sign Sunderland star Anthony Patterson? | OneFootball

Liverpool are reportedly interested in one of the top young goalkeepers in the Championship, as they are linked with a move for Sunderland's Anthony Patterson.

Patterson has been a key player for Sunderland this season, helping the Black Cats in their challenge for the top six in the Championship. They currently sit seventh in the table, only kept out of the play-off places by Coventry City on goal difference.

After last season's play-off defeat to Luton Town, Sunderland will be looking at avenging their loss and returning to the Premier League following a tumultuous few years at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool are rumoured to be looking to sign Patterson during this transfer window, and there are good reasons for and against their targetting of the young keeper this month.

Anthony Patterson is one of the top young keepers in the Championship but has issues he needs to work on

Liverpool are right to be taking an interest in Patterson, as he has proved himself to be one of the top young keepers in the Championship over the past two seasons.

The Englishman returned from a loan spell at Notts County in 2022 and immediately cemented himself as the number one keeper at the Stadium of Light.

At just 22-years-old, Patterson started all 46 games in the Championship last season, keeping 14 clean sheets and conceding 55 goals on the way to a sixth-place finish for the Black Cats.

He has stepped up a level this season, improving in all aspects and showing more maturity in his game. Sunderland are among the teams with the least goals conceded this season, and Patterson is a huge part of the stable defense at the Stadium of Light this season.

Patterson has the fifth highest save percentage for keepers with over 20 appearances this season in the Championship, with only one of those keepers conceding less goals than him this season.

A keeper as young as Patterson starting for a top Championship club is rare, and could be a great signing. Liverpool will likely want to sign him as a backup to Alisson, with a view of taking over as the starting keeper should his development as a top keeper continue.

However, one aspect of Patterson's game which will be of concern to Klopp is ability with the ball at his feet. Alisson is one of the top keepers in the world with the ball, starting attacks from the back with his fantastic passing ability.

So far, Patterson has failed to showcase that skill, and will need to improve greatly if he wants to be the number one keeper at Anfield. He is among the bottom keepers in the league for attacking passes in the league, preferring to throw the ball more than build from the back with his passing ability.

He is also one of the keepers with the lowest passes completed all season, which is something that he will need to work on if he makes the switch to Liverpool this month.

Kelleher's transfer situation may force Klopp into signing new keeper

The situation surrounding the future of Liverpool keeper Caoimin Kelleher could force Klopp to dip into the transfer market, and may be why he has taken such a keen interest in Sunderland's shot-stopper in recent weeks.

Celtic have been linked with a move for the Republic of Ireland international who joined the Liverpool academy in the summer of 2015. Since usurping Adrian for the number two goalkeeper spot in 2022, Kelleher has been behind Alisson in the pecking order at Anfield.

This interest could turn the head of the young keeper, who has not been able to beat Alisson for the number one spot for Liverpool since making his debut for the club.

This lack of game time may force the youngster to leave the club, with him being touted as a long-term replacement for 36-year-old veteran keeper Joe Hart at Celtic Park this month.

If Kelleher does leave, this could force Klopp to sign a replacement keeper. While Adrian is still on the books at Liverpool, his past performances do not endear him to a prominent spot at Liverpool, and Sunderland's Patterson could be the ideal signing for the Reds this January.

this season are to be believed, then this could affect whether they sign Patterson from Sunderland this season.