Liverpool should be looking to pay whatever it costs to land Roma goalkeeper Alisson, says Steve Nicol, with “one great player” preferable to two “average” ones.
The Reds have already completed the €45 million (£40m/$53m) signing of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, while a deal for RB Leipzig star Naby Keita will be pushed through on July 1.
It is, however, expected that Jurgen Klopp will remain in the market for further reinforcements, with Loris Karius’ nightmare showing in the Champions League final highlighting the need for a new goalkeeper.
Nicol feels Liverpool should be going all in for another Brazil international, with Alisson the next logical addition to a defensive unit which was reinforced by record signing Virgil van Dijk in January.
The former Reds defender told ESPN FC: “We sat here and mulled over the price tag for Van Dijk - did Van Dijk make a difference? My goodness did he make a difference. This team was transformed with Van Dijk in it.
“So imagine what would happen if they got Alisson. If you want to go for the big prizes you need to have good players and good players cost money.
“But you know what? Liverpool have the money. If you’ve got it, you spend it tomorrow, or in 10 minutes’ time, if you’ve got the opportunity.
“Do you buy two average players or one great player? You buy the great player.”
Liverpool have been linked with several high-profile goalkeepers since seeing their current No. 1 make two glaring errors in a 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Owner John Henry has vowed to make funds available to Klopp this summer, with the Reds in a position to pump the money generated from a productive European campaign and the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona back into their squad.