20 May 2016

Transfer Almost Done: Liverpool close to signing 'excellent' €10m Bundesliga star. Done deal next week?

After seemingly being linked with every goalkeeper under the sun, it looks like Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has finally decided who he plans to bring in to serve as yet another (probable) back-up to Simon Mignolet.

On Monday, Kicker magazine claimed:

"Liverpool have largely agreed a deal to sign Loris Karius, who will become the club's number one goalkeeper under former Mainz boss Jurgen Klopp".

According to The Guardian today:

"Liverpool are close to signing Loris Karius. Talks between the two clubs [Liverpool and Mainz] have progressed in recent days and a deal for Karius could be completed next week".

A new goalkeeper is (arguably) a top priority, but all indications point to Klopp bringing in Karius as a back-up for Mignolet, rather than a replacement. If this is the case, then I don't see the point of the transfer:

* Adam Bogdan has no future at Anfield, so there's obviously a back-up 'keeper space to fill.

* Mignolet is an established Belgian international moving into the prime of his career; Karius is 22-year old with no international experience. Are we to believe that he's just going to walk into Anfield and become the club's number-one, and that Klopp will dump a senior player who just signed a new 5-year contract? No chance.

Mignolet needs to be replaced, it's that simple. Klopp must take decisive action, but if he goes into next season with the Belgian as his number one, he will make the same mistake as Brendan Rodgers (i.e. relying on Mignolet instead of selling/replacing him) and Liverpool will inevitably suffer the consequences.

In my view, €10m-rated Karius will make a huge mistake if he signs for Liverpool. Right now, he is Mainz's undisputed number-one goalkeeper, and plays every game, so why swap that to rot away on the Liverpool's bench?

Karius is only 22, and he is better off staying at Mainz and furthering his development with regular game time.


^ Described as 'excellent' by Mainz captain Julian Baumgartlinger

Author: Jaimie K


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