Liverpool have informed Roma that they will not submit a bid for goalkeeper Alisson this summer, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper further claim that the Reds are not interested in pursuing a deal for Stoke City stopper Jack Butland either, contrary to previous reports.
The Echo report that Liverpool have told Roma not to expect a bid for Brazil international Alisson, whom they have been tracking closely and rate very highly.
It is said that Loris Karius’ impressive recent form has been a factor in that decision, but the club were also put off by Roma’s asking price of £80million, which is double the current world-record for a goalkeeper.
Whether Liverpool do make a move for a goalkeeper this summer will reportedly come down to the future of Simon Mignolet, who is likely to move on after being usurped as number one at Anfield.
Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Liverpool for a while now, with Mignolet making errors on a consistent basis and Karius taking a while to get up to speed, meaning their suspension of the search is a massive twist.
Good move for Liverpool?
It is impossible to say right now.
Karius has no doubt been impressive in the last few weeks, but it remains to be seen whether he can keep that up for an extended period.
If he can, then Liverpool will have to look no further for their number one.
If he fails to do so, then they will regret not going after someone who has proven their worth elsewhere this summer.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10
Likely to happen?
Again, hard to say.
Karius has to prove to everyone that he is worthy of the shirt between now and the end of the season, and that is all this one comes down to.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10