Alisson to Liverpool: The Reds are set to announce the signing this week (Image: GETTY)
The Reds are set to announce the signing of Alisson this week, with Liverpool forking out a world-record £66.8m for the Brazil international.
It’s understood that the 25-year-old has already agreed personal terms ahead of penning a five-year contract at Anfield.
Klopp has been on the hunt for a new No 1 following Loris Karius’ horror show in the Champions League final against Real Madrid, with the German at fault for two goals in a 3-1 loss in Kiev.
Karius has continued where he left off during the pre-season, with the 25-year-old making costly mistakes in a couple of friendlies.
And pundit Hartson has backed Klopp’s decision to land Alisson, claiming sticking with Karius would be too much of a gamble for the Reds.
Alisson to Liverpool: John Hartson claims Jurgen Klopp is right to break the bank for the Roma star (Image: BT Sport/Premier League)
To put Karius straight back in would be a huge gamble
John Hartson
When asked if Liverpool should go and spend £60m or more on a goalkeeper like Alisson, Hartson, speaking at the Premier League and BT Disability Football Festival at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus, exclusively told Express Sport: “I think they could do that.
“To put Karius straight back in would be a huge gamble.
“He’s lost a lot of confidence and you don’t get your confidence back over one or two games, it takes a whole season.
“Is he capable of going a full season in the Liverpool goal?
“Simon Mignolet is still there as a fall-back [option]. They can still look to him.
“If Jurgen Klopp can get the funds, a goalkeeper should be the priority for Liverpool.
Alisson Becker shows off IMPRESSIVE goal keeping skills
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“They’re strong all over the park and they’ve got some young players coming through, the likes of Ben Woodburn and [Harry] Wilson. For me, a goalkeeper would be music to Liverpool fans’ ears.”
Simon Mignolet’s Liverpool future is also up in the air, with the Belgium international likely to leave Anfield in search of regular game time elsewhere.
Alisson will become the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, surpassing the £35m Manchester City paid for Ederson last year.
The Roma No 1 will be Klopp’s fourth summer signing, with the shot-stopper following Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to Anfield.
John Hartson was speaking at the Premier League and BT Disability Football Festival. Over 180 young people who participate in Club disability sports sessions, funded by the Premier League and BT, attended the event at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus.
The initiative aims to create opportunities and inspire disabled people through sport, with 23,437 participants engaged since the programme launched in September 2016.