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'There'd be no belief at Liverpool without Alisson' - Klopp had to sign £67m keeper, says Carragher

Liverpool had to make the record-breaking signing of Alisson, says Jamie Carragher, as sticking with Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet would have led to “no belief” in a title challenge.

The Reds have invested £67 million ($87m) worth of faith in the Brazil international after losing trust in last season’s goalkeeping options.

Jurgen Klopp has also brought in Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to complement the January addition of Virgil van Dijk, with optimism building at Anfield on the back of serious spending spree.

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Carragher is among those feeling confident, with additions suggesting that Liverpool will be in the mix for the Premier League crown as positive foundations from 2017-18 are built upon.

The former Reds defender told Sky Sports: “Everyone's talking about Liverpool and with good reason.

“You look at getting to a Champions League final and having Virgil van Dijk for a full season. We've seen the impact he made after arriving in January.

“The goalkeeping situation has given everybody a massive lift. What happened in the Champions League final with Loris Karius, yes it was disappointing for the Liverpool supporters on the night losing that game, but we've all been there as players where you have a poor game. But it's happened in a game which will, unfortunately, be remembered for a long time.

“Hopefully he will go on to be a great goalkeeper and be remembered for that but Liverpool had to make a change because I think there would be no belief in Liverpool actually, never mind winning a league but challenging for the league with the two goalkeepers they had.

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“Simon Mignolet and Karius are good goalkeepers but not great goalkeepers.

“That's not to say the guy they have signed is a great goalkeeper. It's a great price - a world-record price - and when you pay that type of money you are expecting a top goalkeeper, but he will be new to the Premier League so let's see how he adapts.

“He looks cool and calm on the ball and that's what Klopp wants from his goalkeeper, but they were areas that had to be rectified and it looks like most of them have been.

“So at this moment, on paper, Liverpool do look the strongest challengers.”

Liverpool finished 25 points adrift of champions Manchester City last season, but they have enjoyed a positive pre-season and will open the new campaign in buoyant mood at home to West Ham on Sunday.

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