Liverpool are over the moon as they have become the first team to beat Manchester City in the League this season. Jurgen Klopp’s boys were relentless and he came up with a gegenpressing masterclass to unsettle and dismantle the usually unflappable Sky Blues.
Though there were many positives to be taken from the match, one glaring loophole was again brought to our notice as Loris Karius came up with another questionable display and it is surely time to look at options who can securely take up the goalkeeping responsibility and establish himself as the No.1 shot-stopper in this rejuvenated Liverpool team.
Liverpool want Butland:
According to the Bleacher Report, the Liverpool manager wants to replace his first-choice shot-stopper Simon Mignolet on goal, with English international Jack Butland.
Liverpool might face competition from Chelsea who were reportedly interested in the keeper a while back.
Liverpool’s Goal-Keeping Troubles:
The Reds have stuck with Simon Mignolet on goal for more than three years now but the Belgian international has probably cost more points to his side than he has won. He has in fact made more errors leading to goals than any other player in the Premier League in the last two seasons and is certainly not a long-term option for a club that wants to challenge for the league title.
Klopp decided to spend on Loris Karius more than a season ago but was yet to trust him with the custodial duties this season in the domestic league, prior to today. He has been decent in the Champions League but the fact that Klopp also wants Butland shows the lack of confidence he has in the German star.
Liverpool have a third senior GK in their squad in Danny Ward, who just made one League Cup start this season. He had a sensational time with Huddersfield Town last season, helping them to promotion but the manager obviously does not believe that he is a first-team option yet, which has made Butland a necessity.
The Liverpool fans are more than fed up of the number of times the Belgian international Mignolet has cost the team points, due to silly errors and Butland is expected to be a direct replacement for him in the first team.
But Is He Their Best Option?
In recent years, the Reds have not been linked to a whole crop of world-class keepers. But that has changed since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, who has already spent on a shot-stopper in his time at Anfield. He wants another, and this time, the names are pretty exciting.
Starting with Atletico Madrid first team regular Jan Oblak, who has a €100m release clause, the Reds have been linked with a move for Spanish legend Iker Casillas, and more recently, AS Roma’s impressive Brazilian Alisson Becker.
While Allison seems a mouth-watering prospect, the best option on this list is the Slovenian ace, Oblak. But his release clause makes him an expensive investment, making Jack Butland a safe bet.
The 24-year old Stoke City star is expected to be the first choice for Gareth Southgate in the near future, fighting with Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Liverpool will only get better if they are able to lure him to Anfield.
