Liverpool make decision on future of 18-year-old starlet | OneFootball

Liverpool still have some tough decisions to make before the transfer window slams shut.

Because, once that happens, they'll be stuck with their current squad until at least January.

On paper, the Reds look like they have a rather solid team and, with the recent arrival of Bradley Barcola, things seem to be looking up.

However, even with the signing of the Frenchman, there are still a few problem areas among their ranks that could do with addressing.

But, for now, it seems like fans are just going to have to deal with the decisions that Liverpool makes with the Anfield outfit finally figuring out what they want to do with one of their wonderkids.

Lucca Brughmans is set to be loaned back to KRC Genk this summer

During the 2025-26 season, it felt like Alisson spent more time side-lined due to injury than he did playing for Liverpool.

Over the last few years, the Brazilian has become more and more unreliable with Caoimhin Kelleher and Giorgi Mamardashvili both earning regular roles in Liverpool's starting XI.

And, while this is obviously good for their development, the fact that Liverpool's starting 'keeper is always out injured is a tad concerning.

So, Liverpool preparing for their future without him by signing Lucca Brughmans from KRC Genk makes a lot of sense.

Indeed, the £30 million fee that the Reds are signing him for is rather steep but, with how badly Mamardashvili performed last term, Andoni Iraola's reason for wanting a new 'keeper among his ranks is obvious.

But, since they already have a fair few senior options among their ranks, a decision needed to be made on Brughmans' future and now, thanks to an update from Belgian outlet HLN, it seems like the 18-year-old wonderkid is being sent back to his current club on a loan deal.

"Racing Genk has high hopes that Lucca Brughmans will finish the season at the club," they wrote.

"The mega transfer of the goalkeeper talent to Liverpool is approaching its denounch. Genk has a record amount of 35 million euros."

Lucca Brughmans could easily become Liverpool's new Alisson

If Liverpool had never got rid of Kelleher, they'd not even need to sign any new goalkeepers.

In fact, if they still had the Irishman among their ranks, he'd probably be their first-choice with Alisson likely to have joined Juventus.

Unfortunately, things didn't end up panning out like that and now, fans want to see the back of Mamardashvili, no matter the cost.

Nottingham Forest have actually been linked with a move for Mamardashvili this summer which is one of the main reasons why a decision on Brughmans future has been delayed.

However, with that deal seeming unlikely now, there's no reason to keep Brughmans at Anfield as the third choice.

The only reason for Liverpool to do that would be to allow him to become homegrown in three years time but, since he needs to continue developing his game, a season-long loan to KRC Genk makes sense.

Most people already see him as a wonderkid but, if he can exceed expectations this term and come back to Liverpool in even better form, there's no reason why the Belgian couldn't become Alisson's successor.