Joey Barton has urged Liverpool to get on the phone to legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after Loris Karius’ shocker on Saturday night saw Real Madrid win the Champions League final 3-1 in Kiev.
Karius made two major errors that practically gifted Madrid their third consecutive European title and has since faced fierce criticism and doubts over whether he will remain at Anfield for next season.
Former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder Barton has now called on Liverpool to get in touch with Juve colossus Buffon, with the 2006 World Cup winner available on a free transfer as his contract at Juventus expires at the end of next month.
“If you’re Liverpool, you go and get on the blower to Gigi Buffon right now,” said Barton on his personal Twitter account on Saturday night.
If you’re Liverpool, you go and get on the blower to Gigi Buffon right now. ??????
— ? Joey Barton ? (@Joey7Barton) May 26, 2018
Buffon, who stands at 6ft 3in according to transfermarkt, made 34 appearances in all competitions for Juve this season, with his farewell coming in the 2-1 win against Hellas Verona earlier this month.
OPINION
Although Buffon would certainly be a short-term option, he would be a much better option that Karius or Simon Mignolet, who have constantly disappointed at Liverpool. Karius’ performance against Real Madrid on Saturday night will surely have been the moment that Jurgen Klopp realised that he needs to seriously consider his goalkeeper options in the summer. Neither Karius or number two Mignolet are good enough for a team with the ambitions of Liverpool and they must be replaced. Barton is spot on about Buffon as he would be a great addition for maybe just one season. The legendary Italian has done and seen it all and getting him in, as well as a young, up-and-coming understudy would be a solid way to sort out the goalkeeper position. It’s hard to see how Karius can comeback from his shocker in Kiev. The first mistake to gift Karim Benzema was utterly bizarre. No one will forget it in a hurry and Klopp should really look to move him on.