Becker Transfer the Last Piece of Liverpool Puzzle?

In recent news, Liverpool looks set to smash the world transfer record for a goalkeeper by signing Brazil’s Alisson Becker from Roma for a staggering £67 million.

This was a move most expected after Loris Karius let up two goals in the Champions League Final that ultimately cost Liverpool. Becker is an exceptional goalkeeper with the presence to match his shot-stopping ability, and has thus far avoided high-profile gaffs. In fact, Becker has kept 17 clean sheets in 37 Serie A games last season, and can also act as a sweeper-keeper with an impressive 79% passing accuracy.

It is nearly impossible to win the Premier League without a top goalkeeper, as the last three seasons have seen the title lifted by Kasper Schmeichel, Thibaut Courtois & Ederson Morales. One of the main differences we saw last season with Manchester City was the presence of the reliable Ederson in goal, after manager Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge saw Claudio Bravo turn to smoke whenever a shot came his way.

The run of Liverpool to the Champions League Final was assisted by the signing of Virgil Van Dijk to shore up a shaky defense. With the commanding presence of Van Dijk in central defence, and the reliable Alisson radiating confidence between the posts, Liverpool should be able to keep opponents at bay after conceding 38 Premier League goals last season, compared to City’s 27.

Liverpool isn’t just buoyed by an improved defence for the new season, as they have already agreed on a deal for Naby Keita to join this summer to provide more power and pace in midfield. Last week, the team added Switzerland ace Sheridan Shaqiri to provide added creativity to their front line.

They did suffer a significant blow with the news of England International Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missing most of next season with multiple ligament damage, but even that loss is offset by the return of fellow England midfielder Adam Lallana.

After three years on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp has a squad capable of challenging for the title Liverpool have been missing for 28 long years. The challenge is formidable: Guardiola’s City still the title favorites, but for Klopp, the days of claiming fourth place a major success are truly gone. In Alisson, he may just have found the missing piece needed to end 28 years of hurt.

Photo Credit: Goal.com