OPINION
Liverpool’s hunt for a new goalkeeper is one of the big stories of the summer as the Reds seek to replace Loris Karius following his Champions League final calamity.
The club seem to be focusing on big-name goalkeepers with similarly big price tags, with Roma stopper Alisson and Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak seemingly their two top targets.
Other names linked have been Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, and Lazio stopper Thomas Strakosha, who would likely cost £15million and £26million respectively.
However, the club also have the opportunity to sign a world-class goalkeeper on a stunning free transfer this summer, a deal which the Reds seem to have passed over so far.
Portugal international goalkeeper Rui Patricio is one of six players who have just terminated his contract with Sporting Lisbon, citing ‘just cause’ after an brutal attack on players by 50 masked fans at the club’s training ground.
This means that the 30-year-old stopper is now a free agent, and is available to join any club for nothing this summer.
This is a golden opportunity for Liverpool to sign a world-class operator between the sticks for absolutely nothing, and it is one they must not pass up.
Patricio is admittedly a bit older than the club’s other candidates, with the Portugal international having turned 30 in February, but he is still at the peak of his powers.
He may not offer a long-term option for the Reds in goal, but Patricio should be able to maintain his current level for at least another two or three seasons, and that is perfect for the club.
All the club need from their new goalkeeper is an instant impact, and Patricio will certainly be ready to do that after his summer at the World Cup with Portugal.
Such a swoop would see the club save millions and millions of pounds, while also acquiring the kind of player they have been looking for all along.
It is a no-brainer, and the Reds must bin their pursuit of Alisson and move quickly to snap Patricio up, with other clubs sure to be lining him up after his release.
