10 Jul 2018 11:53:01
Shout out to Adam (MKS) for the final part of the GK Dilemma, must've missed it when you posted it mate.

Just re-read all 4 parts and really enjoyed the analysis!

In terms of where we stand now, my view is:

1) Butland - most likely, and will therefore compete with Karius rather than being a clear No 1. I do think that Butland has a high ceiling, based on his performances before his raft of injuries. The competition to become and stay No 1 at a big club like ours, and the extra motivation to reclaim the England No 1 jersey from Pickford (tougher now after recent performances! ) will be positive for him. Has the raw materials, and the presence, just needs to refind his form. That's my only reservation as our GK coaching doesn't appear to have been very good in the last few years!

2) Alisson - would be great, but a) I'm not sure he's worth more than 2 times Butland's fee (I know we shouldn't worry about money, but see an earlier post of mine where I argue that its a touch call between, say, Butland and Alderweireld vs just Alisson! ) . He also seems to have his heart set on Real Madrid, so even if we got him now, he'll always have half an eye out on goings on in Spain.

3) Oblak - I would happily forego another defender to get this chap. Break the bank, break everything! Alisson may have better sweeper skills, but this guy is just the complete GK, every time I've seen him play. A scenario could be Courtois to Chelsea and Oblak to Liverpool? However, he seems to not be keen on a move to us. Maybe he's allergic to hugs?

4) Strakosha - the wild card for me. I've never seen him play so am basing this entirely on Adam's write up. Seems to have the right attributes, and would come in more in the Butland price bracket. A risk but could be a rising star? Comes from good pedigree - his dad played in goal too winning 70-odd caps for Albania. Priced similar to Butland, I would imagine.

I'm really torn on preference, other than Oblak! What's other's views? Anyone paid attention to Strakosha in particular as he is the (relatively) unknown quantity out of these 4?

1.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 14:26:17
Oblak or stick with Karius for me, alisson is a great keeper but not worth investing that much in him, on Oblak without a doubt, my biggest worry will be when Karius makes a howler, people will be waiting for it to happen and every shot that comes his way he will it be confident about it and other players will smell that and fire shots at him for fun waiting for a slip up, we really do need a new keeper but other than Oblak, I don’t see the point.

2.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 14:58:55
Lol year of goalkeepers this year isn't it mate. I'd love to see one of Alisson or Oblak (ideally Alisson for me) at Liverpool but since that's not likely to happen I'd just say stick with Karius but if we got somebody like Butland in then fair enough, it could push Karius a little in the right direction. Personally, I do think we'll sign Butland.

Strakosha, I shouldn't really have an opinion on because I've not seen him much, maybe watched him a handful of times but when I have seen him he impressed me. Only young as well isn't he? about 22 I think. He might well be a rising star indeed mate.

3.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:03:44
Cheers mate. Thanks for the request. Sorry I hadn't seen enough of Scuffet!

I think Butland will replace Mignolet and compete with Karius. I reckon it'll happen within a week of England going out of the world cup, but I'm completely guessing.

4.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:12:20
After reading mks report, I like Switzerland'Sommer.

5.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:12:47
Actually I've always liked him. Was brilliant in the euros two years ago.

6.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:19:27
Only Butland has played in the premier league.
He would be the least risky option.
Becker has had a few dodgy games recently and I think the fee Roma want is ridiculous.
Oblak has some VERY solid defenders ahead of him, he won’t have that at Liverpool.
Strakosha - early days, often parries the ball straight back at the penalty spot. A worrying trait.

For me, Butland all the way. He will make the position his own in no time 🤝.

7.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:20:57
He's a great keeper Prince Hendo. He's suit Klopp's system down to the ground as well.

8.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:34:56
Ron, we have some pretty solid defenders too mate. Vvd is the most expensive in the world and will be regarded the best after his first full season for us I believe.

9.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 15:58:37
“The best”?

Best in the world? A very bold call, he will have to make a lot of improvements to justify that.

Apart from VVD, I’d say our defenders are all mediocre (at defending) . Some of our fullbacks are decent going forward.

10.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 17:02:32
I'm not sold on Alison. In 7 games I've watched he did nothing. Oblak would be better but he does play behind a phenomenal defence in a defensive team. Migs would have a decent record in that team.

I don't understand why sommer is playing for the team who's name I can't spell. I don't think he'd cost the worfld and klopp German contacts could make the deal easier.

11.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 17:14:33
VVD is not the best in the world. He is not better than Varane, Jimenez nor is is better than THE best in the world in Diego Godin. As for Butland, not for me. He may have played in the PL BUT is yet to prove a damn thing in it and just saying that "he has played in the PL" means nothing, IMO. Why? This was the same yardstick we used to sign Adam and Downing, for the disaster we would later see. Sorry, I ain't buying that as an argument. Butland has proved NOTHING in the PL and him coming to LFC will come with all the pressure of a big club cos well, this ain't Stoke where you can have a poor game here or there, and the media won't say a thing. This is the big leagues, bro.

So as I have said all along, we get the GK we or Klopp want as in Allisson or Oblak or we stick with Karius. Can we get a GK in to challenge him? Great. I would go with the Swiss Sommer in that case as he is very experienced in the WC, Euros and CL, all the things Butland, Pope, Strakoscha are NOT.

12.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 17:49:48
You can’t have 2 keepers fighting for the number 1 spot. We need a top class number 1 and whoever else to push him and be ready as backup for injury.

13.) 10 Jul 2018
10 Jul 2018 18:21:17
Scouse john L8, saying that we need a top class GK is like preaching to the choir. That is not the issue being debated. The issue is that the top GK's are already taken and NOBODY will sell them to us except we pay crazy money (for Allisson who is not worth it) or hope Oblak changes his mind and comes wants to come to us, which is a pipe dream. It is under these circumstances that we are operating now and that is where the debate should begin hence, we are debating the options we have based on the reality expoused above. Continuing to bang on the "We need a top class GK" drum is just redundance and over-kill which fixes nothing.