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Football

06th Jun 2018

Roberto Firmino confirms Alisson has asked him about a move to Liverpool

Simon Lloyd

It’s early days yet, but the signs are there that Liverpool aren’t messing around in the transfer market this summer

Fabinho was through the door within 48 hours of their Champions League final defeat in Kiev and it’s been common knowledge that Naby Keita will join the club from RB Leipzig on July 1.

Liverpool are highly unlikely to stop there, either. Reports continue to link them with Lyon’s Nabil Fekir while it emerged on Wednesday that they also have a genuine interest in activating the release clause in Xherdan Shaqiri’s Stoke contract.

Then, there’s the goalkeeping issue.

Even before their defeat to Real Madrid, there was a sense Liverpool may not persist with Loris Karius as their long-term number one. Reports have linked them with several alternatives in the last couple of weeks, with AS Roma’s Alisson mentioned regularly.

A Brazilian international, Alisson is currently preparing for the World Cup with his international teammates – one of which just so happens to be Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.

Inevitably, Firmino was asked about the chances of the goalkeeper moving to Anfield over the summer while speaking to the media at a press conference and revealed he hoped the transfer could be agreed.

“Yes, he asked me and I hope he can come, but I know he has other proposals,” Firmino was quoted as saying.

“From time to time I will give him a pinch to come to Liverpool and help us, but it’s with his agents,” he added.

“It wouldn’t be bad if he came to Liverpool.”

Alisson moved to Roma in 2016 and was initially understudy to former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Following his move to Juventus, Alisson became Roma’s number one, with his performances attracting the attention of several of Europe’s top clubs.

As well as Liverpool, Real Madrid are also thought to be keen to sign him, perhaps one of the other proposals Firmino was referring to.