Bernd Leno
Liverpool endured a tough end to their season, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Jurgen Klopp’s men were never expected to make it all the way to Kyiv as they exceeded all odds and expectations. Nevertheless, the Reds can hold their heads high knowing that this team is capable of great things.
Liverpool attacker Mohammed Salah broke the Premier League record for the most number of goals scored in a 38-game season, with the Egyptian racking up 32 goals to beat Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot award.
Liverpool’s front three were devastating all season, with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah breaking the record for the most goals scored by an attacking trio in the Champions League. Liverpool also broke the record for the most number of goals scored in a Champions League campaign.
The Merseyside giants were electric and dangerous going forward, but their defensive frailties were once again the cause of their downfall. The addition of Virgil Van Dijk in the January transfer window surely proved to be a smart signing, with Liverpool conceding the least number of goals since the Dutch captain’s arrival.
In the final against Real Madrid, goalkeeper Loris Karius probably played the worst game of his life. He rolled the ball into the path of Karim Benzema, who calmly stretched his leg out to score the first goal of the match.
Gareth Bale then scored a wonder-goal to make it 2-1 after Sadio Mane’s equaliser. Karius was once again at fault for Bale’s second of the night, failing to punch the Welshman’s shot, which ricocheted off the goalkeeper’s hands and fell into the goal.
Karius apologised to the travelling Liverpool fans but the damage had already been done. It remains to be seen whether Jurgen Klopp sticks with him or brings in another goalkeeper to give the German some competition.
Reports suggest that Klopp is in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno a major target for the German coach.
The 26-year-old German goalkeeper has been in the Bundesliga since 2009, starting his career with Stuttgart II and eventually moving on to Bayer Leverkusen in 2011. Leno made a total of 30 appearances last season, managing 9 clean sheets in the process.
He is a brilliant shot stopper as he averaged 1.47 saves per game last term. Interestingly, Karius averaged the same number of saves in the league. Although the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper boasts a 100% claim success rate, compared to Karius’ 87%.
Klopp has already completed the signing of Fabinho from Monaco and the arrival of Naby Keita will certainly strengthen the squad in the middle of the park.
If the manager can go into the market once again and snap up Leno, then Liverpool should be considered serious title contenders for next season. Roma custodian Alisson Becker is also a target for the Anfield outfit.
