Why Lucas Brughmans, Liverpool's Rp600 Billion Young Goalkeeper, Has Yet to Debut at Anfield
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Liverpool resmi mengamankan kiper 18 tahun Lucas Brughmans dari Genk dengan biaya yang bisa mencapai £30 juta, namun ia tetap dipinjamkan hingga musim panas mendatang.
- Kebijakan transfer FSG yang berani menebus pemain muda berpotensi tinggi—seperti Jeremy Jacquet—menjadi pola yang kemungkinan diulang untuk Brughmans.
- Situasi kiper utama Alisson Becker yang menua dan performa Giorgi Mamardashvili yang belum meyakinkan membuka jalan bagi Brughmans untuk segera bersaing di tim utama.
Liverpool are reported to have reached an agreement to sign highly rated young Belgian goalkeeper Lucas Brughmans from Genk for a transfer fee that could reach £30 million (around Rp600 billion). Although the deal has been struck, Brughmans is certain not to feature any time soon because he will remain on loan at Genk until the summer of 2026. The move raises a question: why are the Reds willing to spend big on a player who cannot contribute immediately?
The decision by Liverpool's management under Fenway Sports Group (FSG) ownership is not without reason. They are applying a long-term strategy by signing high-potential young players before their prices soar. A similar pattern was already seen in the case of centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who was bought from Rennes for £60 million and immediately became a mainstay at the back. Brughmans, who is just 18 years old, is regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe. He has become first choice at Genk and has averaged 8.44 progressive passes per match over the past calendar year—the highest in the Belgian Pro League for a goalkeeper.
Liverpool's goalkeeping position is indeed in transition. Alisson Becker, though still a legend, has turned 34 and his form has begun to decline. Last season, he recorded a save percentage of just 65% in the Premier League—a figure far from elite standard. Although he has improved to 78% this season, there are still concerns about regeneration in that position. Meanwhile, Giorgi Mamardashvili, signed last summer, has yet to convince. Nottingham Forest were even reported to have tried to approach the Georgian goalkeeper late in the summer transfer window.
In this context, Brughmans' arrival is a breath of fresh air. His towering 6-foot-6-inch frame (around 198 cm) gives him an advantage in commanding the penalty area. Not only that, his game reading and ball distribution are considered strong. Although still very young by goalkeeper standards, he has shown maturity rarely seen. Liverpool clearly see him as a long-term investment, not merely a backup.
"Brughmans is one of the most talented young goalkeepers around right now. His ability to stop shots and build attacks from the back makes him a fit for Liverpool's style of play," said an English football observer, Bence Bocsak, as quoted by Football FanCast.
Looking at Jacquet's trajectory, having immediately become a key pillar after arriving in January, it is not impossible that Brughmans will follow a similar path. Jacquet, now 21, was even described by Bocsak as "one of the best defenders in the Premier League right now". His performances for the France national team during the last international break have further strengthened his reputation. FSG are indeed known for investing in young players, and they often reap the rewards.
For Liverpool, this move is also part of their strategy for dealing with fierce competition in the Premier League. Rival clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City are also aggressively chasing young talent. By securing Brughmans early, Liverpool ensure they do not lose a future world-class goalkeeper. Moreover, £30 million for an 18-year-old goalkeeper could be considered reasonable given his extraordinary potential.
However, challenges remain. Brughmans must prove he can adapt to the far higher intensity of the Premier League compared with the Belgian league. In addition, he must compete with Alisson and Mamardashvili, who are still in the squad. If Alisson remains consistent until his contract expires, Brughmans may need to be patient. But if Alisson's form continues to decline, it is not impossible that Brughmans will be promoted straight to first-choice goalkeeper in the 2026/2027 season.
What is clear is that Liverpool have shown their seriousness in building the team's foundation for the next decade. The signing of Brughmans is a signal that they do not want to get stuck in a short-term fix cycle. The question now is: can Brughmans meet the huge expectations placed on him, or will he instead sink under the pressure? Only time will tell, but the first step has been taken.
