Liverpool’s players, staff and fans gave Jurgen Klopp a triumphant send-off at Anfield on Sunday, although another Red was celebrating more than 1,000 miles away from Merseyside. While Manchester City were winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title yesterday, a much longer streak came to an end in Austria as, for the first time since […]
The post One Liverpool player was celebrating away from Anfield on Sunday – and for a very good reason appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.
Liverpool’s players, staff and fans gave Jurgen Klopp a triumphant send-off at Anfield on Sunday, although another Red was celebrating more than 1,000 miles away from Merseyside.
While Manchester City were winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title yesterday, a much longer streak came to an end in Austria as, for the first time since 2013, it wasn’t Red Bull Salzburg who stood atop the champions’ podium.
Their hopes of an 11th succeesive crown were usurped by Sturm Graz, where Vitezslav Jaros has been on loan from the Reds since January.
His achievement was highlighted by journalist Bence Bocsak on X, who said that the Czech goalkeeper ‘produced some brilliant performances’ for his temporary side and ‘should be heading to Euro 2024 next’ off the back of those heroics.
Massive congratulations to Vítězslav Jaroš who won the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz yesterday.
The #LFC goalkeeper won a domestic double during his six month loan spell.
Played 21 games, and produced some brilliant performances.
Should be heading to Euro 2024… pic.twitter.com/qOiJ6x6iJN
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) May 20, 2024
From playing with the likes of St Patrick’s Athletic, Notts County and Stockport on loan, for Jaros to win a top-flight title and help his club to qualify directly for the Champions League represents a big step forward.
The 22-year-old certainly played his part in Sturm’s first league triumph since 2011, with five clean sheets in his 14 domestic appearances and only 11 goals conceded (Transfermarkt), and he also won the Austrian Cup for good measure as his side swept to a double.
He signed a new contract at Liverpool in January just before departing for Graz, a sign that he’s regarded quite highly at Anfield, and Arne Slot might yet want to keep him at his parent club for next season.
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Adrian looks set to depart with his contract expiring next month, while Caoimhin Kelleher continues to attract interest and may decide to move on with the mission of becoming an undisputed first-choice elsewhere.
Even if the Irishman stays, Jaros might be retained in the Reds’ senior squad as further backup to Alisson Becker, although he may view that as a backwards step after his heroics with Sturm.
There’s a big decision to be made over the summer, but if he goes to Euro 2024 with Czechia as Boscsak is predicting, he could possibly put himself in the shop window. In the meantime, our congratulations to him on his title-winning endeavours!
The post One Liverpool player was celebrating away from Anfield on Sunday – and for a very good reason appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.
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