Liverpool will reportedly make a summer bid to bring Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius to Anfield, amid doubts over Simon Mignolet‘s ability to remain the club’s No. 1 next season.

German publication Bild (h/t Metro‘s Lee Thomas-Mason) has stated Reds boss Jurgen Klopp “is looking for reinforcements after witnessing his current first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet make a number of high-profile errors despite signing a new long-term deal earlier this season.”

One of his targets is Karius, a 22-year-old ‘keeper with a €10 million release clause in his contract. That would be a bargain fee to secure one of the brightest young talents in Germany.

Such a deal would also give Liverpool a viable alternative to Mignolet, who has struggled at times this season. Back in April, a report from Alistair Tweedale of the Daily Telegraph named the Belgian as the most error-prone goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Mignolet has been erratic domestically, but the former Sunderland man has also impressed during Liverpool’s run to this season’s UEFA Europa League final. Klopp has already shown confidence in him once by handing the 28-year-old stopper a new five-year contract back in January.

While Mignolet may need some strong competition for next season, it’s not exactly clear Klopp is ready to give up on him as Liverpool’s No. 1 just yet.

 

Inter Milan Defender Jeison Murillo Linked

One change Klopp may want to make is in defence, where he is said to want to add Inter Milan ace Jeison Murillo, according to the People (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star). The same report also stated Liverpool will face competition for the £22 million-rated South American from Premier League champions Leicester City.

Klopp could certainly use some extra pace at the back. He’s managed to revive the form of Dejan Lovren, but the position next to the Croatian centre-back remains a question mark.

Kolo Toure is 35, while Martin Skrtel’s future looks uncertain. Andy Kelly of the Liverpool Echo has seemed to suggest the 31-year-old Slovakian could be playing his football elsewhere next season:

Mamadou Sakho is currently serving a UEFA-imposed ban while European football’s governing body investigates a doping violation that could carry a lengthier ban, per Sky Sports.

So Klopp‘s need to sign a talented centre-back this summer is clear in this context. But he may have to look elsewhere based on Murillo’s apparent desire to stay in Italy.

Earlier in the season, the player told Rai Sport (h/t Wood): “I want to stay at Inter. I am an Inter player and am not thinking about the future right now.”

Klopp may have to expand his search for defensive reinforcements beyond this rugged and talented Colombian.

 

Mario Gotze Confirms Bayern Munich Talks

One of Klopp‘s former players and reported targets, Mario Gotze, has confirmed he’s held talks with Bayern Munich about his future.

Specifically, World Cup winner Gotze stated he’s spoken with incoming Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti, per German publication Bild (h/t Goal.com’s Stefan Coerts). But Gotze didn’t get into specifics about what the conversation means for his immediate future: “I can’t make any promises about next season. I have an ongoing contract, and we will see what happens.”

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo had reported how Ancelotti is willing to sell Gotze this summer. Pearce also revealed how “Klopp is keen to bring the Germany international to Anfield this summer with the Reds hoping to wrap up a deal for around £20 million.”

Klopp knows the player well having developed him at Borussia Dortmund. Gotze‘s trickery, flair and eye for a pass fit the fluid brand of football his former chief is now preaching at Anfield.

There’s a sense of inevitability about this deal, with the connection between player and manager likely a decisive factor. Gotze would add some star power to what’s already an intriguing attack featuring Brazilian schemers Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.

But it’s issues at the back that seem likely to dominate the agenda for Klopp this summer. Identifying the right competition for Mignolet, while adding the right partner for Lovren, should be his priorities.

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