The goalkeeping department has been a major setback for Liverpool since the departure of Pepe Reina. If Brendan Rodgers had retained Reina rather than loaning him out to Napoli, the Reds could’ve probably won the Premier League title.
It has been the final hurdle which the Reds have not been able to get past under the 51-year-old manager. Liverpool often put themselves in tough situations because neither of their goalkeepers – Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have the ability to perform under pressure situations.
David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois, Ederson and Hugo Lloris are the goalkeepers of Liverpool’s competitors. Arsenal manager Unai Emery has wasted no time by pursuing a deal for Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool have no choice but to get it right this summer if they are to stake a claim for the title in the upcoming season.
#5 Thomas Strakosha (Lazio)
The 23-year-old has kept 17 clean sheets in 53 games across all competitions last season. The Lazio goalkeeper has also made 92 saves in the Serie A, making 2.24 saves per goal. He has conceded 43 goals in the Italian top division league this season, but that was down to the open football that Lazio play.
According to The Daily Express, Lazio are already preparing for a replacement for Strakosha given the Reds’ intense interest.
#4 Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona)
As per a report from The Mirror, In a recent interview, the former Ajax star said,
“Arsenal and Liverpool aren’t bad clubs but if Barcelona say, ‘We love you,’ then I’ll accept their decision and continue there. I’ll wait until we return on July 16 to see what they’ve decided. I don’t know anything.”
Despite falling down the pecking order at the club, Cillessen is still the first choice for his country. In his last season at Ajax, the goalkeeper kept 18 clean sheets from 33 games, conceding at a rate of 0.64 per game. He came to his side’s rescue by making 40 saves. The Dutchman also obliterated aerial threats by punching the ball away 12 times.
#3 Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has been linked with Liverpool over the past few months. According to reports from Joe, Liverpool are confident of acquiring the Englishman this summer.
During the summer of 2013, Butland joined Stoke City rejecting Liverpool for proper game time. He had loan spells at Barnsley, Leeds and Derby before making his first appearance for the Potters. However, after 5 years, the shot-stopper might make a move to the red part of Merseyside.
#2 Yann Sommer (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
News reports have emerged, claiming that Yann Sommer is a target for Liverpool and the Switzerland shot-stopper is playing the World Cup to impress the scouts of the English club according to the reliable German paper Bild.
The 29-year-old has conceded 37 goals last season, with his saves-per-goal stat standing out at 1.64. He is capable of eliminating aerial threats with 12 punches and 81 catches last campaign.
He is an all-rounder possessing all qualities required in a goalkeeper. He is a consistent performer by proving himself at Basel, Borussia Monchengladbach and Switzerland over the last eight years.
Jurgen Klopp is in the hunt of an experienced goalkeeper after Karius made those two howlers in the UEFA Champions League final.
#1 Alisson Becker (Roma)
There have been contradicting reports everywhere, but the Brazilian star could be on his way to Liverpool as reports from The Daily Star claim that Liverpool could make a second offer as Real Madrid have allegedly cooled their interest in the shot-stopper.
The Brazilian has 20 clean sheets from 45 appearances this season, conceding less than one goal per game. He is an excellent shot-stopper with 3.40 saves per goal and has made 134 saves last season alone which is the best in Europe. These are staggering numbers for a goalkeeper.
