Ex-Red says he suggested ‘world-class’ player to Liverpool years before Klopp signed him

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Doni spoke to ESPN Brasil about the time he suggested a world-class player to Liverpool.

The Brazilian joined the Reds on a free transfer from Italian side AS Roma in the summer of 2011. Doni spent two years at Anfield but played just four games for the club in all competitions.

The 41-year-old, now retired, has claimed that he suggested Liverpool to sign his compatriot Alisson a few years before they did, but the Reds decided against his suggestion.

Liverpool rejected the chance to sign Alisson in 2016

He said: “I suggested Alisson to Liverpool before Roma bought him. Liverpool had a chance to buy him a lot cheaper. I suggested to the club’s goalkeeper coach, John Achterberg, but they decided not to sign him.”

“The goalkeeper coach liked Alisson very much when I suggested, but whoever decides whether to sign or not is the board, along with the owners of the club. It’s a methodology that is little based on consultations and is more direct. And it’s quite different from Roma, who has the system in which who decides whether to sign or not is the sporting director together with the coach.”

Roma signed Alisson from Brazilian side Internacional for just £7.2 million in 2016. (ESPN) Two years later, Liverpool forked out a then world-record £66.8 million fee (BBC) to bring the goalkeeper to Anfield, and that has proved to be an incredible investment.

Alisson has played a big part in helping Liverpool win the Premier League and the Champions League crowns over the last two years. The Brazilian is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world now, and the massive fee the Reds paid for him looks a bargain now, especially after Chelsea broke that record to sign Kepa.

Jurgen Klopp clearly is a huge fan of Alisson. The Liverpool boss hailed the Brazilian’s performance in the Merseyside derby back in June, where he labelled him as ‘a world-class goalie’. (Goal)

Liverpool fans will be frustrated to know that their side could have signed Alisson at least a couple of years before they actually did. Simon Mignolet and Lloris Karius’ mistakes would never have happened if Doni’s suggestion was taken, but Reds supporters will not care one bit now after how well he has done over the last two years.