The past few weeks have seen a storm in a cup of tea with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp defending his underperforming goalkeeper Loris Karius from the criticism of Gary Neville.

The fact remains neither Karius nor Simon Mignolet are deemed good enough to be trusted to help Liverpool to their first title in 27 years and reports in The Sun suggest a new goalkeeper is on the German’s shopping list with a move for out of favour Manchester City netminder, Joe Hart believed to be on the cards next summer.

The England international is currently on a season-long loan in Italy with Serie A side Torino after not being deemed suitable for the style of football Pep Guardiola is trying to enforce at the Etihad which would suggest his long-term future will not be in Manchester.

A move for Hart could be scuppered with the Anfield side unable to match the player’s £120,000-a-week wage demands with the report suggesting a loan move might be more viable unless terms can be thrashed out with the player. Whether Manchester City would be willing to let Hart join a rival club especially on loan, remains to be seen.

Liverpool are also reportedly interested in Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford who is having an excellent season under David Moyes despite the club’s troubles. Liverpool will however be wary they bought Simon Mignolet from the Black Cats in similar circumstances and are still searching for a top keeper.

It is suggested 29-year-old Hart, who is enjoying a return to form in Italy, would be interested in returning to the Premier League with a move to close neighbours Liverpool making the transition that bit easier.