Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KLOPP’S No.1 PRIORITY
Boss publicly backed calamity Karius but knew Reds could not launch real title bid without a top-class keeper
AS unwavering as Jurgen Klopp has been in his support of Loris Karius, it appears even he has his limits.
Klopp could not have been more resolute in his backing for the keeper after his two howlers against Real Madrid ruined Liverpool’s dreams of Champions League glory.
The Reds boss tried to excuse Karius’s gaffes by claiming his compatriot was suffering concussion from a clash with Real skipper Sergio Ramos. He backed Karius again last week when he fumbled a simple free-kick in a friendly against
Tranmere to gift
Rovers a goal, saying: “We can’t make a story after each mistake.”
But even as he uttered those words the German knew he needed a new
No.1.
Klopp has been looking at Alisson for months but had a tentative inquiry for the
Brazil keeper rebuffed by Roma in January.
Now Liverpool have told the Italians they are prepared to smash the world record for a keeper to bring the 25-year-old to Anfield.
According to sources in Italy, Liverpool’s offer is worth £62million – nearly twice the previous highest sum paid for a goalkeeper.
But as staggering an amount as that is, Liverpool know they have to act.
Kop fans remember from bitter experience – they’ve suffered David James, Sander Westerveld and Jerzy Dudek – how a suspect keeper can drain confidence from a defence.
Klopp (left) knew he could not go into the new season, a campaign when Liverpool are expected to challenge for the Premier League title, with a massive question mark over his goalkeeper. Back-up Simon Mignolet has had numerous chances at Anfield and few Kopites would be glad to see him between the sticks on the opening day of the new season.
Most Liverpool fans have long since lost faith in calamity keeper Karius and on social media they have welcomed news of the bid for Alisson.
Liverpool have been in the market for a top keeper all summer but it is only now they believe they can get a deal with Roma over the line. Roma, knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool at the semifinal stage, still feel robbed for receiving just £36.9m from the
Mersey men for Golden
Boot winner Mohamed
Salah last summer.
They want full value for Alisson and price him at just over £66m, even though he cost them only £7m two years ago from Brazilian side Internacional.
Liverpool’s offer is not far off Roma’s asking price and the Anfield outfit believe they can conclude a deal before any rivals enter the bidding.
Chelsea are looking at Alisson as a possible replacement for Thibaut Courtois should the Belgian cash in on his excellent World Cup by moving to Real Madrid, and could offer more.
However Chelsea cannot bid yet because Real have not made their move for Courtois, allowing Liverpool pole position.
Liverpool’s offer for Alisson again underlines owners FSG’S huge ambition – they are prepared to keep spending to bring silverware back to Anfield. They sanctioned the £75m deal for Dutch international Virgil van Dijk
– a world record for a defender – and will back Klopp again to get the goalkeeper he wants.