OPINION
Liverpool will have to endure another season of “what ifs” and ” if onlys” next season if they do not resolve their issues in between the sticks.
With Simon Mignolet more than capable of going on a fine run of form, only to drop a clanger in a season-changing match and the whole world knows about Loris Karius’ ability to create mayhem, it spells an all-out necessity to make a top quality replacement of these two if they are going to push on next term.
According to a report in The Sun, Jurgen Klopp is keen on adding Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland into the fold.
And while this would be an upgrade on what they currently have, they would have to move quickly to acquire the services of one of Stoke’s best players, after what was a miserable season for the relegated Potters, as Chelsea have joined the pursuit of the £30million rated 6ft 4in (source: Transfermarkt) colossus.
Deals for the likes of Alisson Becker and Jan Oblak appear to have gone quiet and with an eye-watering £79million fee (source: The Guardian) for the Brazilian having been spoken about, the Reds best bet would be to let the Roma stopper head to Real Madrid and for Klopp to put his efforts into a player who knows the Premier League inside and out.
But they will have to persuade Butland that it is Anfield and not Stamford Bridge that is the best move for him – with all the question marks surrounding the future of Antonio Conte in West London, that shouldn’t be too difficult to do.
Liverpool must put their foot on the gas in their Butland pursuit and up the revs.
