Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern have just about got over their side’s crushing Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid last month, what with the Reds going down 3-1 in the showpiece.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into their meeting with the two-times defending champions full of confidence having got past the likes of Porto, Manchester City, and Roma en route to the Kiev final, although they were second-best in the Ukrainian capital on May 26. A brace from Gareth Bale alongside Karim Benzema’s opener sealed victory for the Spanish giants, in turn clinching a third successive Champions League crown, and 13th in their illustrious history.
Subsequently, there have been many despondent Liverpudlians in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom are likely to be intrigued though by recent reports linking Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope with a move to Anfield.
And while the £9 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) may not be the most exciting of signings this summer, he would undoubtedly be an upgrade on the awful Loris Karius, who endured a nightmare in the Champions League final last month.
The young German shot-stopper had got the nod from manager Klopp for the majority of 2018 to suggest that he was the Liverpool chief’s long-term option between the sticks, but the 24-year-old made two costly errors against Real Madrid to call into question whether he is indeed the answer.
And with Simon Mignolet also failing to truly convince of his qualities during his spell at Anfield, it’s no surprise to see the Merseysiders linked with several goalkeepers in recent times, one of which is Burnley’s hugely impressive Pope.
The 26-year-old was a relative unknown to many about 12 months ago but was given his chance in Sean Dyche’s side at the start of this season following an injury to Tom Heaton, and it’s a chance the England international took with both hands.
Pope went on to keep 12 clean sheets and ship just 35 goals in 35 Premier League appearances for the Clarets this term, with the Englishman playing as big a part as any in helping Dyche’s side to one of the best defensive records in the division – only the top five conceded fewer.
And his remarkable efforts between the sticks at Turf Moor rightly earned the 26-year-old a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup, further highlighting his meteoric rise, but also how quality a goalkeeper he is at Premier League level.
And if Liverpool are serious about challenging for the title in the coming years under Klopp, they simply have to upgrade on the awful Karius, with neither he nor Mignolet up to the job of winning points and matches for their side in the same way the likes of Thibaut Courtois, David De Gea, and Ederson do for their clubs.
Pope, albeit not at the same level as the trio, can also be added to that list after his incredible season, which is why he would without doubt be an upgrade on Karius were Klopp to move for him during the close season.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
