TheCable

Liverpool have broken the transfer record for a goalkeeper, signing Alisson Becker from Roma in a €70 millikn deal, with the goalkeeper putting pen to a six-year contract. The record transfer value of Alisson Becker, who was arguably the best goalkeeper in Europe last season, and put in good outing at the World Cup in Russia, overtakes Buffon’s €53 milliom transfer to Juventus from Parma in 2001.

It seems the Merseyside club, UCL finalists last season have run out of patience with fumbling first choice keeper, Loris Karius, who was at fault for two goals in the 3-1 UCL final defeat by Real Madrid. Although he was later discovered to be concussed, the German goalkeeper has continued his floppy trend in preseason, conceding a cheap goal in last week’s 3-2 friendly win.

Jurgen Klopp, who has always backed error-prone Karius, said the opportunity to sign Alisson was not one he and the club owners would allow to pass by.

“At one point in the last few weeks it came up, the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers, the owners were quite excited, so we did it,” the former Borrusia Dortmund coach declared.

He also added that Alison’s price tag would not be an issue, as the Brazilian national team’s first choice goalkeeper was brought in because of his excellent goalkeeping attributes.

“He has nothing to do with the price, we have nothing to do with the price. It’s the market, that’s how it is and we will not think a lot about it. We got him here because of his existing strengths, which is in all goalkeeper departments the highest level.”

Alisson, on the other hand was optimistic about the prospect of joining Liverpool and taking the next step in his career. “In terms of my life and my career, it’s a huge step for me being part of this club and this family,” the 25-year old declared.

Alisson, who spent two years at Roma further spoke about his readiness for the EPL challenge, and revealed that his new club’s talisman and former teammate in Italy, Mohammed Salah, has been in touch.

“Yesterday, he sent me a message saying: ‘Hey, what are you waiting for?’ As the negotiations were at an advanced stage, I replied to him straight away saying: ‘Calm down, I’m on my way!’

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play alongside him again. As well as being a great player, he is a huge character and a great person – which is the most important thing.”

Alisson Becker is Liverpool’s fourth major signing of the summer after the arrival of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xerdan Shakiri, giving the Reds’ squad a major boost as they set out to win the club’s 19th league title and its first ever EPL crown since the competition was rebranded in 1992.