Klopp makes a big statement

WHATEVER you do, don’t play a game of poker with Jürgen Klopp, he’ll have your chips, he’ll have your clothes, he’ll have the deeds to your house.

His public persona is probably at odds with that assessment. He’s such an ebullient character that you find it hard to imagine he’d ever hold something back. He appears to be about as close to an open book as you can find in professional sport.

It’s because of this that so many of us took him at face value a few weeks back when he let it be known he wasn’t in the market for a new goalkeeper. Those soundings left most of the Liverpool supporters we know in a bit of a funk. How can he continue to place his faith in Karius, a man who’s name has become a synonym for blunder?

Of course, it could be that Klopp was being completely earnest a few weeks back and that Karius’ latest howlers (in pre-season friendlies) are the reason why he’s decided to break the world record for a keeper on Roma and Brazil’s Alisson Becker.

More likely Liverpool’s manager was keeping the move for Alisson on the down low for fear of spooking interest from others or for fear of driving the asking price through the roof – desperation isn’t a good look when you’re on the market for a top quality player and all the indications are that Alisson is worth the money, in as much as any player is ‘worth’ these crazy sums of money.

With Keita and Fabinho signed up, with van Dijk bedded in already Liverpool look better placed for a title tilt than they have done in a hell of a long time.

As a Liverpool fan, it really is the hope that kills you.