Liverpool fans have it all worked out.
There was a genuine fear among Reds supporters that the club would not address the glaring goalkeeping issue this summer as initial reports suggested that manager Jurgen Klopp would keep the faith with Loris Karius.
It was claimed that Karius and Danny Ward would fight it out for the No 1 spot at Anfield but following a couple of howlers from the former in preseason, Klopp’s hand has been forced.
Liverpool are closing in on a £66 million deal for Roma ‘keeper Alisson Becker, who has been one of the club’s top targets all summer.
The Brazilian stopper is believed to favour a move to Merseyside amid interest from Chelsea and it’s expected that the deal will progress in the coming days now that Liverpool have been given the green light to speak to the player.
The fee, which has been agreed, will be a world record for a goalkeeper | @MelissaReddy_ https://t.co/k9eI4yFP63
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 18, 2018
Alisson’s arrival will provide another big call for Klopp to make as it’s unlikely that he will want to keep Karius, Ward and Simon Mignolet in a lengthy pecking order behind the Brazilian.
When he becomes the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, there’s no doubt that Alisson will be Klopp’s first-choice stopper but what will he do with the other ‘keepers at his disposal?
Supporters almost universally agree that Ward should act as Alisson’s deputy for the coming season, while they hope that Karius is sent on loan to regain his confidence after a rough few months. Mignolet, meanwhile, looks destined for the exit door.
Hopefully with Alisson coming in Karius can go on loan somewhere and sort his head out
— Amy (@Ifcamy) July 18, 2018
If the Alisson deal goes ahead, I'd send Karius out on loan in Europe for the season, let him get his confidence back. Sell Mignoet, and keep Ward as back-up #lfc
— Neale Denaro (@NealeDenaro) July 18, 2018
Karius loan back to Germany would be ideal, Mignolet most likely would be gone, need Achterberg to follow him
— Pryzbylewski (@SportrmpMusty) July 18, 2018
Okay, after finalizing Alisson as #LFC no.1, would be wise to sell Mignolet, make Ward as our no.2, loan Karius to a decent club in a decent league..🔴🔴🔴
— Stephen J. Wuisan (@StephWu8) July 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Liverpool_World/status/1019543892201332736
For what it’s worth, I like Karius & still think there’s a decent keeper in there but the guys confidence is shot and who could blame him…maybe a loan would do him good
— Nathan (@nath_ob) July 18, 2018
Bring in Alisson
Loan out Karius
Sell Mignolet
Ward as number 2🙏🙏🙏
— Mark JFT97 Kinnaird (@Markkinnaird) July 18, 2018
Hopefully now Mignolet can fuck off and we can send Karius on loan. Alisson, Ward and Grabara as our first team keepers.
— usman (@usman_94_) July 18, 2018
It actually looks like we're about to sign a new goalkeeper for £66m. Unbelievable scenes. #LFC#Alisson as our new number one.#Mignolet likely to be sold#Ward should be our new number two#Karius should seek loan away from Liverpool for the season, sort his head out
— VJ (@StillMagic10) July 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/NetSpendLinda/status/1019529684579577856
Alisson as our No.1 GK choice. Ward to be No.2 Send Karius on loan to get his confidence back and playing time. Don't care about Mignolet#LFC
— Kaushal Agarwal (@agarwalkaus) July 18, 2018