Liverpool ‘confident’ of world record fee for Jack Butland

Liverpool are believed to be after a new goalkeeper this summer.

Despite being strongly linked with a move for AS Roma's Allison, it's now being reported that Jürgen Klopp is confident the Reds will instead complete a record move for Stoke City's Jack Butland. The 24-year-old is in contention to be England's first choice 'keeper at the World Cup after a string of impressive showings this season, with The Mirror reporting that Stoke are resigned to losing him ahead of the next campaign. The same report claims Liverpool are 'confident' of sealing a move for him which would see them pay more than the current world record outlay for a goalkeeper - the £34.7m Manchester City paid to Benfica for Ederson last summer. Despite the Allison rumours, Butland's experience of the Premier League is said to have pushed him to the top of Liverpool's list. It's also said that Klopp considers him to be an upgrade on Loris Karius, whose performances have improved after a regular run in the Liverpool goal. Karius was, however, powerless to prevent Liverpool from losing 2-1 at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday afternoon. Although they are well placed to finish in the Champions League places again, the result leaves United five points clear of them in second place.