Potential Liverpool Goalkeeper Replacements For Loris Karius
By Lee Gormley, Sports Reporter
May 30, 2018
Jurgen Klopp saw his Liverpool side slip to a disastrous 3-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the recent Champions League final.
In Kiev, the Reds were undone by two calamitous moments from goalkeeper Loris Karius, who endured an evening to forget.
The 24-year-old was comically at fault for Real Madrid’s opener, gifting Karim Benzema the opportunity to put his side in front, before messing up again with a seemingly routine save from another Gareth Bale effort.
Bale scored arguably the greatest ever European Cup final goal, but Karius’ moments of madness will live long in the memory for Liverpool fans.
Jurgen Klopp is now expected to delve into the transfer market for a new shot stopper, so here are several big name targets he could swoop for in the coming months.
Top of Klopp’s wishlist is reportedly Roma number one Alisson, with the Brazil international’s reputation having grown in recent seasons. The 25-year-old is at the perfect age to grow into a new team and has impressed throughout the 2017/18 campaign with 17 clean sheets in Serie A. Roma will command a huge fee and his price-tag could grow further with strong showings at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
AC Milan goal guard GianLuigi Donnarumma has become one of the hottest young players in European football in recent years. At only 19 years of age he has risen to prominence in Italy and is seemingly the heir to the national throne of Gianluigi Buffon. Mino Raiola is his agent though, so Klopp may have to fork out a ridiculous price to acquire him.
If Klopp wants to play it safe and snap up a goalkeeper with plenty of Premier League experience already under his belt, then Jack Butland could be his man. The Stoke City stalwart was superb during an eventually disappointing campaign in which they cub were relegated. A move away looks highly likely and Anfield could be just the destination for England’s World Cup number one stopper.
The great Buffon has finally called time on his career with Italian giants Juventus, as he departs the club after almost two decades in Turin. PSG have been mentioned as potential suitors for the legendary veteran, but Klopp could do great business in luring the 40-year-old to the red half of Merseyside.
Another goalie with top-flight experience in England is Kasper Schmeichel, with the Leicester City stopper having been a key component of that incredible title-winning side. A switch from the Foxes has been in the pipeline for some time and Liverpool would represent a big move for both parties.
Finally, perhaps more of a gamble in the form of Nick Pope. The Burnley goal guard has been sensational for Sean Dyche’s men in the Premier League and even played himself into the England squad for Russia. The 26-year-old may be a cheaper alternative to others on our list but he would arrive with plenty of quality between the posts.
