The goalkeeping position at Liverpool has been one of curious debate in recent years, Simon Mignolet had been the number one since signing from Sunderland in 2013. After a debut penalty save and clean sheet things have been far from rosy for the Belgian after a string of high-profile mistakes throughout his tenure, costing Liverpool on multiple occasions and being a scapegoat for their title failure in his debut season at the club. Now the club finds themselves in a similar position, they boast a side currently with 103 goals for the season in all competitions and playing sensational #Football but the defensive mistakes are still there.
Klopp brought in Loris Karius from Mainz at the beginning of last season and after producing a few mistakes of his own, Mignolet was restored between the sticks. He has hence tried to rectify the situation by deploying Mignolet domestically and Karius in the Champions League during the first half of the season. However, after their 2-1 victory over Everton in the FA Cup, Klopp revealed that Karius will remain as the number one in all competitions for the remainder of the season. Surely spelling an end to Mignolet's time on Merseyside.
The Solution?
It was recently reported on Sky Sports that preliminary talks have taken place between #Liverpool and #Roma via an Italian intermediary. Whilst discussions are at an early stage it is clear that the Brazilian is Klopp's number one choice to finally bring in a world-class goalkeeper to Anfield.
With 113 goals conceded in 95 games, more than any of the top six there is a dire need to instil a solid figure between the sticks. Exploding on to the scene this season after being a Roma player for three years, he is now considered the best goalkeeper in Serie A behind Gianluigi Buffon who is expected to retire at the end of the season.
With a save percentage of 80.21% compared to Karius' 63.16% and Mignolet's 59.32% and 19 goals conceded in 25 games he is clearly a phenomenal goalkeeper. The chance to ply his trade in the Premier League and influence Liverpool's title credentials could prove too good to turn down, however with another turbulent transfer window expected in the summer they will not be the only club in for Alisson.
Alternatives
With a transfer merry-go-round brewing in the goalkeeping department, with two of the Premier League's best goalkeepers David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois heavily linked with moves away in the summer; both Manchester United and Chelsea may well be set to enter Liverpool in the race to sign Alisson. This coincides with potentially difficult negotiations with the Italian side. With Roma's asking price expected to be record-breaking for a goalkeeper given their bitterness towards Salah's explosive form on his Premier League return and the fee they received for the winger. In terms of alternatives, there seems to be a growing perception that Liverpool has their own De Gea with Karius given their similar horrid starts at their respective clubs.
Whilst other names have been thrown into the ring such as under-fire Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, however this would represent a gamble in a time when Liverpool fans are begging for a world-class goalkeeper and therefore would not satisfy fans should he become the new number one. There have also been rumours of Klopp keen to activate Jan Oblak's release clause and would be a welcome alternative if Liverpool can't agree on a fee with Roma. But as soon as the transfer window opens, fans will be anticipating the arrival of a world-class goalkeeper.
