Alisson transfer intrigue grows as Liverpool braced for goalkeeper decision

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

So continues the intrigue over the future of Alisson Becker at Liverpool.Juventus have once again been strongly linked this week with interest in the goalkeeper having first been mooted as considering a summer move last month.Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Wednesday that Juve are intensifying their pursuit of Alisson as their preferred next goalkeeper and even claimed the player's representatives will be in the country to discuss a possible contract offer at the weekend's game at AC Milan.The Serie A side hope the opportunity for Alisson to again link up with Luciano Spalletti, his former boss at Roma, can provide a lure, along with the chance to once more ply his trade in Italy having spent two years in the capital before moving to Liverpool in 2018.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! The Reds unsurprisingly recently exercised their option of extending Alisson's contract by a further 12 months, not least to ensure the player couldn't leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.For his part, Alisson has long stated he would not be averse to penning a new deal at Anfield and has regularly spoken of how much he has enjoyed life both at the club and in England.But, as has been demonstrated by the imminent exits of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, the era for the squad that succeeded first under Jurgen Klopp and then last season under Arne Slot is now coming to the end of its natural cycle.

The arrival this summer of Giorgi Mamardashvili was welcomed by the Brazilian when it was first confirmed back in August 2024, no doubt aware Liverpool's succession plan would be without long-term deputy Caoimhin Kelleher, who is now at Brentford.And the fact is Alisson, while still in the highest echelon of goalkeepers, is becoming increasingly unreliable regards availability.In his first five seasons at Liverpool he missed a combined total of 16 Premier League and three Champions League games through either injury or illness. Since then, in just under three campaigns he has been out for 28 top-flight and nine Champions League matches.Even when Alisson has featured, it has become increasingly evident his kicking has been hampered by persistent hamstring issues with Liverpool's game playing out the back having been adjusted accordingly.Nobody has claimed Mamardashvili is at Alisson's best level.

But in his 18 appearances this term, the Georgian has demonstrated enough that Liverpool would have no issue making him their number one next season should Alisson indicate he wants a fresh challenge and a suitable offer be forthcoming. The Reds have options.In any case, neither Alisson nor Mamardashvili will be between the sticks for Saturday's Premier League visit of Crystal Palace, the latter's nasty wound sustained in the derby win at Everton expected to keep him out for a period and open the door for third-choice Freddie Woodman, who played for much of the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium, to make his first Premier League start in approaching six years.Alisson is likely to be back for the following weekend's trip to Manchester United and would then be expected to play out the final four games of the campaign between the sticks.