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Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

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Liverpool target Alisson is keeping Ederson out of international team

Mathew Nash
Mathew Nash

When it comes to naming the best signings of the Premier League this season many names pop to mind. Mohamed Salah has been a revelation at Liverpool, Nemanja Matic has been Manchester United’s standout player whilst lower down the table the likes of Pascal Gross at Brighton or Marko Arnautovic at West Ham spring to mind.

For many however it is the arrival of Ederson at Manchester City that will top the pile. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been excellent since his arrival in the summer. The City paid Benfica £35 million for the stopper, which has certainly paid off. Ederson has been one of the top keepers in the Premier League and plugged the biggest gap in City’s team. Pep Guardiola’s side now look set for the title.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Ederson of Manchester City celebrates his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on February 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

But despite his excellent form for City the stopper is still not the number one for his nation. The man with that responsibility has been heavily linked with Liverpool this summer.

Alisson is currently Brazil’s number one and looks like keeping that role at the World Cup in Russia this summer. The Roma stopper has emerged as one of the top keepers in Europe since his switch to the Italian capital in 2016.

Liverpool’s interest in his services has not been a secret. It was claimed first by that Liverpool were keen on the Brazilian stopper back in January. Those rumours have continued, but his price-tag has been a massive talking point. Most recently,have suggested a deal would cost Liverpool a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of £52 million.

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 13: AS Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker celebrates the victory after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk at Stadio Olimpico on March 13, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Real Madrid and Arsenal have also been mentioned as Alisson targets but Liverpool would be right to spend such a fee on the excellent goalkeeper. The Reds have struggled to find a suitable stopper for some time now. Simon Mignolet has finally got the chop after consistent unreliable form for Liverpool. Loris Karius has come in recently and done better than his previous runs, but Alisson is a world-class option.

The fact is Liverpool fans would have loved it if Ederson had made his way to Anfield in the summer and not the Etihad. This summer they might have a chance of bringing in a player who is keeping him out of international contention.

With that in mind, Liverpool should not baulk at the £52m asking price.