Joe Hart and Liverpool stories won’t go anywhere, despite it being unlikely Jurgen Klopp will completely give up on the idea of Loris Karius as his number one. It would be no surprise to see Simon Mignolet leave in the summer, if he’s informed Karius is still Klopp’s preference, but bringing in Hart would see the German goalkeeper firmly planted as a No.2 in the long term.
Mignolet won his place back, but Klopp has made it very clear he sees Karius as his long term goalkeeper, which would appear to rule out buying a new No.1.
There have been calls, from people including Jamie Carragher and Danny Mills, for Liverpool to sign Hart from Manchester City in January, getting the goalkeeper to cut short his Torino loan.
That’s impossible, not only because Torino have him contracted for a year, but mainly because he’d wouldn’t be allowed to play for a third club in one season. Hart played a competitive and official match for Manchester City before he left, so it’s ruled out.
Turin newspaper Tuttosport are already panicking about what their local club will do after Hart leaves. He’s become an absolute hero among the fans and they’d love to keep him.
However, it’s believed in Turin that Manchester City will sell Hart for €15m, and Liverpool are again presented as a likely option. Tuttosport say Liverpool have ‘advanaced some sort of option’ to sign Hart, which probably means they’ve made tenative enquiries over the possible transfer.
It’s hard to believe, given Klopp’s faith in Karius long term, but it may be the right thing to do.
