The 2017/18 UEFA Champions League final was nothing less than a horror show for Loris Karius in the Liverpool goal. The 24-year-old made two shocking errors to concede two goals and cost his team severely. The Reds made an inspiring run to reach the finals of the competition but were let down by the goalkeeper’s mistakes.
Jurgen Klopp was dejected after what was his 6th loss in a competition final. The German head coach was quoted, “Loris Karius knows it, everybody knows it. That is a shame in a game like this, in a season like this. I feel for him, he is a fantastic boy. The second mistake is because of the first one.”
“I only had a few words with him afterwards but nobody wants those mistakes. We will deal with it and of course, we will be with him.”
The sentiments of the fans are overwhelmingly favouring Karius to head for the Anfield exit door while a replacement is signed in the form of AS Roma’s Alisson Becker.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was in Liverpool’s sights earlier in January but the transfer never materialized. Alisson is a starting keeper for his national team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is set to take place in Russia next month.
He signed with the Serie A outfit in the summer of 2016 as a backup to Wojciech Szczęsny. But ever since the Polish international left for Juventus, Allison has flourished as the number one option. He has recorded 26 clean sheets in 64 appearances for the club so far. The Merseyside fans got to see the keeper in action when both teams faced off against each other in the Semi-Final stages of the European competition.
Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet has been no better for the side, which turned him into the second string option rather than a rotational starter. Karius was supposed to be the able replacement but the move has proven to be fatally undesirable.
Now as the Reds prepare to take on the fresh challenges of the 2018/19 season, Klopp will have to make the hard decision of allocating his best financial resources towards a competent shot-stopper.
Virgil van Dijk’s £75m arrival has solidified the defence and Alisson could be the ideal man to complete the setup. At 25, he has already established himself to be one of the best in European football and will give Liverpool years of prosperous service.
Read More: 3 Players Liverpool Should Consider Bringing In This Summer Including This La Liga Ace!
Maybe the time is now to not act stingy but to act upon the club’s best interest.
