Manninger makes return with Liverpool

Goalkeeper Alex Manninger has returned to the Premier League after agreeing a short-term contract with Liverpool.

The 39-year-old joins the Reds after his departure from German Bundesliga side Augsburg at the end of the last campaign, 15 years after he ended a four-season spell at Arsenal.

Liverpool's fifth summer signing, Manninger provides competition for first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and fellow new recruit Loris Karius.

Manninger told liverpoolfc.com: "I've still got something left, for sure, but obviously it's probably not the time for me to push for the next three or four years to get a place in the goal. Because time says it's not possible to play 50 games a year.

"But if I’m called up, I'm definitely there for games, I will play. And I'll definitely be in the changing room every game, giving my input; I hope, even if it's only a couple of per cent, it will do the rest."

Should Manninger feature in the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, it will be the longest time between appearances in the competition's history, with his last coming on 19 May 2001 as Matt Le Tissier sealed a 3-2 victory for Southampton in the final match at their old stadium, the Dell.

Longest time between PL appearances

He won the Premier League title with the Gunners, winning the March 1998 Player of the Month as they claimed their first crown in the competition in 1997/98. One of eight goalkeepers to win the monthly award, he made 34 league appearances for Arsene Wenger's side. 

The former Austria international has also played for Fiorentina, Udinese and Juventus during his long career.

For more on Manninger's transfer to Liverpool, visit liverpoolfc.com.