Alisson remains on Liverpool’s radar as Klopp considers goalkeeping options

Reports originating from Italy today claim that Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains on Liverpool’s radar as Jurgen Klopp contemplates his goalkeeping options ahead of next season, this despite the Liverpool manager publicly backing Loris Karius by insisting he was suffering from concussion during the Champions League final.

Liverpool fans have been crying out for a new number one to be signed this summer following the painful defeat to Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League back in May.

Loris Karius was enjoying an impressive second half to last season heading to Kiev after replacing Simon Mignolet as Jurgen Klopp’s first choice stopper at the turn of the year.

The 24-year-old was given an extended run of games to prove his worth after starting Liverpool’s final 16 Premier League games and played every minute of the clubs 13 games in the Champions League. He did reasonably well and went in to the Madrid game in confident mood, however, Karius was exposed at the very highest level after making two costly errors in the final.

It will be tough for the German youngster to recover from his horror-show against Madrid and Klopp has been tipped to sign a new keeper this summer with Alisson reportedly his prime target. Speculation in the media suggests that Klopp has also looked at Jan Oblak but with a release clause worth north of £85m, it’s difficult to see a deal being done for the Slovenian international so Alisson looks the more realistic of the two.

The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks with former Liverpool player Steve Nicol claiming that the Reds have already made a formal offer for the Roma keeper. It will take a bid of around £60m to persuade the Italians to cash-in but Liverpool could face competition from Chelsea and Real Madrid as the duo have also registered their interest in the South American.

Recent reports this week suggest that Klopp may opt against paying big money for a new keeper and give Karius another chance to resurrect his career at Anfield, but many fans feel it’s vital the club sign a new number one if Liverpool are to be serious contenders for top honours.

Bookmakers have Man City as the 8/13 clear favourites to win the 2018/19 Premier League title with Liverpool currently a distant 5/1. However, those odds would look tempting if Klopp was able to sign Alisson this summer. With the addition of a top class keeper, the Merseysiders should be City’s closest rivals and many online sites already placed their predictions for those who are confident Liverpool will win the title.

Klopp has rectified his problems in midfield with the additions of Naby Keita and Fabinho and Liverpool showed huge improvements in defence during the second half of last season thanks largely to Virgil van Dijk’s presence and the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.

However, Klopp knows he has a problem to resolve between the sticks if Liverpool are to challenge City for the title next year and he must decide whether to spend big on Alisson or give Karius a chance to redeem himself.

Commenting on the situation earlier today, Klopp said: “You make a mistake against Chester and it’s a mistake. If you make a mistake in a Champions League final, it’s a mistake you cannot change anymore, even if you want to – and we all want to.

“He was influenced by that knock, that is 100 per cent. What the rest of the world is making of it, I don’t care. It’s really not important what the people say. We do not use it as an excuse.

“Now people could think for us it is the explanation – and for me it is 100% the explanation and that’s all.”

He added: “If you ask Loris, he says he didn’t think about it and didn’t use it for a second as an excuse. We don’t use it as an excuse, we use it as an explanation. That’s always important, that’s what analysis should be: you explain why things happen.

“So, from this point of view, from my side everything is fine. We don’t think about that anymore and we start completely new.”