Liverpool supporters have been in high spirits in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their team batter Watford 5-0 at Anfield on Saturday to move back up to third place in the Premier League table.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were the only side in the top eight of the division in action over the weekend due to FA Cup commitments, and they took advantage to move seven points clear of fifth place Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification. And Mohamed Salah was again the man of the moment by netting four times at Anfield, with Roberto Firmino adding the other to seal a comprehensive victory for the Merseyside giants, a result which moved them above Tottenham into third place in the Premier League.
Consequently, there have been many delighted Liverpudlians in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom are sincerely hoping that their side can continue their fine recent run of form between now and the end of the season, and thus secure back-to-back top four finishes.
In the meantime though, there has been plenty for our resident Reds fans to discuss, not least recent comments from former Liverpool star Steve McMahon backing Klopp to go out and sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
And were the Merseysiders to indeed get a deal done for the £63 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) this summer, it would undoubtedly be a bigger and better signing for the club than that of Naby Keita.
Ultimately, the goalkeeping ranks at Anfield still remain a cause for concern among many of our resident Liverpool fans, despite the recent good form of Loris Karius.
Simon Mignolet never did enough to convince of his capabilities between the sticks, and while Karius has improved in recent times and has been given the nod by manager Klopp, one still wouldn’t put him on the same level as the likes of David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois, and Ederson, the name but a few.
Those three shot-stoppers all make a huge difference to their respective sides and win them points and matches over the course of a campaign, and if Liverpool are serious about challenging for the Premier League title in the years to come, they need a goalkeeper of that calibre.
And Oblak could well be the man.
The 25-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world given his efforts for Atletico in the last few years, with the Slovenia international conceding just 90 goals in 149 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, keeping a staggering 86 clean sheets along the way.
Quite simply, those are remarkable numbers and a far cry away from what Liverpool are producing at the back this season, and while some of that Atletico success has to be put down to their brilliant backline, Oblak has also done his bit on numerous occasions.
And that is the sort of goalkeeper Liverpool need to start competing for the Premier League title. Arguably, Ederson’s arrival at Manchester City during the summer has had the biggest influence on their run to the title this term – the same could happen were Oblak to move to Anfield.
Yes, Keita’s arrival is eagerly anticipated and will certainly add another dimension to Liverpool’s midfield, but they simply need a world-class goalkeeper on the same level as messrs De Gea, Courtois, and Ederson to really push on.
As such, landing Oblak this summer would certainly be a bigger and better signing for Liverpool than Keita.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
