Liverpool’s Goalkeeper Search Continues

Liverpool have been very busy in the transfer market this summer.  Following their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp was keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2018/19 season.

New Additions

Naby Keita has joined from RB Leipzig and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho has also been added to bolster the options in the central area of the team.  Klopp has also added to his attacking options by landing Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City for a fee believed to be £13 million.

However, while Liverpool fans appear pleased with the players brought into the club, there has been no sign of a top defender or goalkeeper arriving at Anfield.

Karius Not the Answer

The goalkeeper position has been one of great debate in recent years at Liverpool and Klopp added Loris Karius as competition for Simon Mignolet.  The German became Liverpool’s number one last season but two high profile mistakes in the Champions League final proved costly.

It was discovered Karius could been suffering from concussion at the time but the German has never really convinced during his time at Liverpool.  In a pre-season friendly game at Tranmere, Karius spilled a shot from a free-kick straight to an oncoming player who put the ball into the back of the net.

This will only have dented his fragile confidence further and Klopp has a big decision to make in the coming weeks regarding the goalkeeper position. Roma goalkeeper, Alisson has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent months but the Brazilian appears to be attracting attention from elsewhere.  Both Real Madrid and Chelsea are reported to be monitoring the situation and much could rest on the future of Thibaut Courtois.

Cillessen

This has seen Liverpool turn their attention elsewhere and reports in Mundo Deportivo suggest Klopp has made an offer for current Barcelona goalkeeper, Jasper Cillessen.  The Dutch international has been considering his future at the Camp Nou having made only 21 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club two years ago. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the first-choice goalkeeper at Barcelona and this has seen Cillessen’s playing time reduced to a minimum.

Reports suggest the former Ajax number one is considering an offer from Liverpool and will analyse his options.  Having been priced out of a move for Alisson, Cillessen appears to be the next best option for Liverpool but will the Dutchman be a significant improvement over the current goalkeepers at the club?

Liverpool need to bring in a goalkeeper who is going to inspire immediate confidence among the players and fans.  Alisson would have done that but Cillessen may not have the same impact. Any mistake from a Liverpool goalkeeper is going to be scrutinised and whoever comes in will need to handle the pressure of being under the microscope every week.