Loris Karius could be rescued from his Liverpool misery by German side Greuther Furth, according to reports.
Karius has not played for Liverpool since his costly errors in the 2018 Champions League final. He made two calamitous mistakes that practically handed the trophy to Real Madrid.
Liverpool knew they had to upgrade the goalkeeper position there and then. They certainly did so by snapping up Alisson Becker, who remains their number one to this day.
Karius, meanwhile, has been through a series of loan spells. He was at Besiktas for two seasons before joining up with Union Berlin last year.
He only made five appearances back in his native country before returning to Liverpool in the summer. There is no place for him in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Six months remain before Karius will be free from his contract at Anfield. However, he could be presented with an option to get away before then.
According to Kicker, Furth rate him as an option to strengthen between the sticks.
Currently bottom of the Bundesliga, their main goalkeeper Marius Funk has suffered a serious knee injury. Both he and backup Sascha Burchert will be out of contract at the end of the season anyway.
Furth know it is an area they must reinforce. They have set some criteria for who they will bring in to do so. Ideally, they want a German goalkeeper who is also easily affordable.
Karius in Furth transfer plan
Karius fits the ideal profile due to his nationality and the fact that Liverpool may even let him go for free early. Therefore, he could be a target for the Bundesliga outfit.
In fact, figures at Furth have already been asked about Karius and have not hidden their admiration.
“He’s undoubtedly a very, very good goalkeeper, but I’m not involved in names or speculations,” coach Stefan Leitl is quoted as saying.
Karius made 49 appearances for Liverpool, conceding 47 goals and keeping 22 clean sheets, before his exile.
Michael Edwards prepares final transfer act
Meanwhile, another figure who will be leaving Liverpool in 2022 is sporting director Michael Edwards.
The 42-year-old transfer chief has been instrumental to Liverpool becoming a major force again in recent years.
Edwards will leave his role at Anfield come the end of the campaign. But he is aiming to complete a transfer masterstroke before then.
Sport Witness, citing reports in the Spanish press, write that the Englishman is keen to sign Luis Diaz from Porto.
The left winger has been in ‘extraordinary’ form this season, netting 11 goals in 14 league appearances. Diaz was also on the scoresheet in Porto’s two Champions League group games against AC Milan.
The star, who represents Colombia on the international stage, did not manage to score against Liverpool as Porto crashed out of the competition.
Their failure to reach the knockout stage could have big implications for Diaz’s future. It means Liverpool can ‘take advantage’ of the situation by offering the ace a shot at Champions League glory.
Edwards will be integral to the negotiations, which look set to begin in January. He is plotting ‘one last smart move’ before exiting Merseyside, and Diaz is his top target.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will reportedly have to pay between £42-68m for his signature. However, Edwards is exceptional at getting players for less than their bloated transfer value.
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