Liverpool warned off Premier League star as keeper search continues

Liverpool’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper is ongoing after they were warned off making a bid for England international Jack Butland by Stoke, The Express reports.

The Reds are known to have made a new number one their priority, be it this month or in the summer, having added strength to the spine of the side in the form of Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita, who will arrive at the end of the season.

Simon Mignolet has started more often than not between the posts for the Merseysiders this season but has never convinced and has lost his place to Loris Karius in the last two games.

The German was signed 18 months ago but has also struggled to make the desired impression and following the sale of Philippe Coutinho Liverpool are thought to be willing to splash a significant fee to solve a longstanding issue in the squad.

A bid of £40m for Butland had been touted but new Stoke boss Paul Lambert has reiterated that the 24-year-old is going nowhere for the time being.

“There is absolutely no way he is going in January. Absolutely no chance,” said Lambert. “As long as I’m here I’ll do everything I can to keep him.”

Butland emerged as one of England’s top keeping prospects before moving to Stoke in 2013 but has endured a difficult season for the Potters this season, who have conceded more goals than any other Premier League team (50). A save success rate of 64.3% is modest to say the least but still superior to both Mignolet (59%) and Karius (33.3%).