Liverpool are firmly in the market for a new goalkeeper but are unlikely to sign former number one target Alisson this summer, according to Echo journalist James Pearce.
The Merseyside correspondent told a question-and-answer session on the newspaper’s live blog (Monday, 1.51pm) that hopes of landing the Brazil first choice have “faded” as the club continue to scour the globe for a new shot-stopper.
Pearce explained that Liverpool are not interested in either Burnley’s Nick Pope or Thomas Strakosha of Lazio despite being linked with the pair in recent weeks.
“Alisson was the No 1 target but Roma’s asking price and the keeper’s desire to join Real Madrid means those hopes have faded,” Pearce explained. “His future will become clearer once Brazil are no longer in the World Cup.
“I’m sure a lot of work is going on in the background. Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of alternatives but I’m told there’s nothing in talk of making a move for either Burnley’s Nick Pope or Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha.”
OPINION
Quite where Liverpool’s goalkeeper search will end up is something of a mystery. Certainly, they want a new number one and are willing to spend big to get one. Neither Lorius Karius, who ended last season as the first choice, and Simon Mignolet are of the calibre required for a title-chasing European giant, although both would make an adequate number two. Liverpool’s best option would be to discard them both, sign a top-class number one and a more junior number two who can battle with Danny Ward for the third slot on the senior keeping roster. Alisson would make a great signing, but it appears that Real Madrid have the edge in that particular race, as the asking price continues to escalate. Roma know they have an in-demand player on their hands and can demand top dollar after his excellent 2017-18 campaign for the side that Liverpool knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.