Liverpool’s goalkeeping problems are known to everyone this season and with the club’s top four position in peril, Jurgen Klopp could be looking to bring in some experience in between the sticks.
While Joe Hart was linked with a move to Anfield at the start of the season after Pep Guardiola replaced him with Claudio Bravo, it could be another Englishman taking up the role of number one keeper at the Merseyside club.
Reports from The Sun claim that the Reds are tracking 30-year-old Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who has had a great season so far for the Clarets. The former Manchester United youngster has been the best goalkeeper this season and it is no surprise that a host of clubs wants to sign him up.
While Heaton would be a brilliant signing for most Premier League clubs, Liverpool don’t actually need a goalkeeper at the moment. Simon Mignolet, for all his faults in the past, seems to be doing a stellar job since coming back to the starting XI.
Even though he conceded three goals in the last match against Swansea, his performances have been good and the defence has to shoulder the blame for the wretched performances in recent weeks.
The same story could be said about Loris Karius. The 23-year-old had a poor start to his Liverpool career as his mistakes cost important points against West Ham and Bournemouth. But the former Mainz goalkeeper proved his ability in the recent cup games against Plymouth and Southampton and hasn’t looked as shaky as earlier.
Jurgen Klopp has faith in his goalkeepers and with Mignolet doing well; the Belgian might not be sold at the end of the season. Karius probably needs another season to just deal with the pressure of being a Liverpool keeper and he too should turn out fine.
Heaton probably is better than both the keepers but the Englishman would only provide a couple of years of good service and with him already being 30; it might not be feasible to sign him from Burnley.
Liverpool also needs to look at their defence and their attacking problems, which Klopp had stated he would fix in the winter window. Unfortunately for the German there have been no signings for the Reds and that could come back to haunt the manager as the Reds look to finish in the top four at least.
Klopp must have understood now that he needs a great squad of players in his side and this Liverpool team does need more work if they are to challenge for the title next season. For now, a cup and a top four finish is the best Liverpool can hope for.
