Klopp hails Liverpool new boy Alisson ‘one of the world’s best goalkeepers’

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool have signed ‘one of the world’s best goalkeepers’ in Alisson.

Alisson became the costliest stopper in football on Thursday by completing a £67 million move from the Reds’ Champions League semi-final opponents Roma.

Klopp moved swiftly to land the Brazil international, who signed a six-year deal, amid ongoing doubts over Loris Karus’ position in the number-one spot at Anfield.

And the Liverpool manager has lavished praise on his newest summer recruit, who follows the captures of Xherdan Shaqiri, Fabinho and Naby Keita.

“At one point in the last few weeks it came up, the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers,” said Klopp.

“Then it’s not a long thought, to be honest, it’s only that you need to have a little talk with the owners! They were quite excited, so we did it.

“I think it’s something we have to do. He has nothing to do with the price, we have nothing to do with the price, it’s the market, that’s how it is and we will not think a lot about it.

“It shows the value of goalkeepers, of course, in this moment.

“It will happen a lot in the next few weeks I guess and that’s it, so we are really happy to have him here now.

“His English is surprisingly good and he is a real personality.”
Alisson, 26, confirmed that he had sounded out Roberto Firmino about the possibility of linking up with his compatriot on Merseyside.

He said: “I had spoken to him before things really started to happen.

“When the negotiations became official I spoke to him and I only heard good things about the club and the city.

“He is a player who feels really at home here. He is loved by the fans and really popular with his team-mates.

“He is a great person and only had positive things to say. He said if I were to come here I would be really happy as well.

“Putting our friendship to one side and the time we spent together with the national team, I’m really happy to be at the same club as him and have the same daily routine as him.

“Hopefully we can develop a great deal together.”