Transfer insider: Liverpool left in ‘Catch-22 situation’ which could see them accept ‘big offer’
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Liverpool could be left in a ‘Catch-22 situation’ with one current player for whom they may have to reluctantly consider accepting any ‘big offers’.There has been growing speculation over the future of Alisson Becker, with Fabrizio Romano reporting of strong interest from Juventus and the trusted Paul Joyce writing that ‘there is renewed doubt‘ as to how much longer the 33-year-old will remain at Anfield.The goalkeeper had a one-year option on his contract triggered in March, thus extending his deal to June of next year, but his recurring injury problems might factor into FSG’s thinking if the Serie A outfit were to submit an attractive proposal this summer.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYLiverpool could face ‘Catch-22 situation’ over AlissonSpeaking on the Transfer Insider podcast for Football Insider, Pete O’Rourke claimed that Liverpool could soon potentially find themselves with a tough decision to make regarding their number 1.He said: “There’s obviously a lot of speculation coming out of Italy that Juventus are very keen on signing Alisson, as well as some other Serie A clubs.“I think Liverpool find themselves in a bit of a Catch-22 situation at the minute.
Obviously, they don’t really want to sell Alisson, but he’s only got one year left on his contract after they activated that extension option earlier this year.“He’s obviously had a lot of injury problems as well over the last few seasons, but when he is fit, he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world.“If a big offer comes in from a Juventus or somebody else, it’s something that Liverpool might consider to help balance the books and help boost their own transfer plans in that respect.”(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool facing a dilemma over Alisson’s futureThe pragmatic view – and it’s one that FSG might well take – is that Alisson will be 34 in October, has one year remaining on his contract, has had more than his fair share of injury problems and is one of the squad’s higher earners on £150,000 per week (Capology), so a ‘big offer’ could be very difficult to turn down.It was in anticipation of his eventual departure that Liverpool made the future-proofing acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili as his long-term successor, and the cold reality of football is that every player ultimately moves on and the squad is refreshed again.However, it’s understandably difficult for fans to view it through that prism when they’ve become accustomed to having a consistently world-class goalkeeper in their team for nearly a decade, and losing him in the same summer as Mo Salah and Andy Robertson would amplify the leadership drain from within the dressing room.Juventus aren’t naive; they’ll recognise Alisson’s contract situation at Anfield and feel confident that a lucrative offer might just convince FSG to do business with them.It’s tough decisions such as these that the LFC hierarchy are handsomely reimburshed to make.
It’s not implausible that our number 1 could be sold in the summer, but we’re obviously hoping that isn’t the case and we get to see another year of him for the Reds.