5 Simon Mignolet replacements Liverpool could target this summer

As Liverpool look to secure a solid spine in the team with Virgil Van Dijk and welcome the arrival of midfielder Naby Keita from RB Leipzig in the summer, attention will certainly focus on a goalkeeper as a key missing piece of Jurgen Klopp’s jigsaw.

The Reds boss previously confirmed Loris Karius as his No.1 going forward, and seems that status will remain for now, meaning Mignolet will surely look for a move once international duty with Belgium at this summer’s World Cup in Russia is finished.

Mignolet hasn't featured in the Premier League since New Year's Day, after the Liverpool beat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor. Borussia Dortmund are understood to be keen on the 30-year-old's services and are said to be readying a £10 million bid.

But who could the Reds look to as they search for competition for their current shot stopper? We look at the top 5 potentials from around Europe.

#5 Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)

The 26-year-old Germany international, may attract Klopp due to the fact he will know him from the Bundesliga meetings with his former club Borussia Dortmund.

In September 2011, he was the youngest goalkeeper to ever to play in a Champions League match when he featured against Chelsea aged 19 in the group stages of the competition.

With over 250 first team appearances for his current club and former employers Stuttgart, he would expect to take the No.1 birth should he make the move to Merseyside. He may form part of Joachim Low’s Germany squad for the World Cup in a couple of month’s time. Around £18 million may be enough to persuade Leverkusen to sell. The Reds will need to act fast to secure his services, with Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Napoli keen.

Possibility of signing: 2/5

#4 Alisson Becker (AS Roma)

Enter cap — Brazil international Alisson Becker is being touted to join the Reds and could replace Mignolet

Allison to his friends is the obvious choice. The 25-year-old Roma goalkeeper and Brazil No.1 has seen his ex-team mate Mo Salah become an international star overnight and is the new Kop idol.

No doubt Liverpool’s Egyptian King will be waxing lyrical in his former teammates ear. Add Roberto Firmino to the breakfast table chat in the Brazilian camp in Russia and it may sway the 6’4” number one.

Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on Alisson as look to shore up their goalkeeping department ahead of the new campaign. Roma could expect another bumper payday having only spent £7.5 million to bring him from Internacional in 2016. A fee in the excess of £65 million may just be enough to prize him away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Possibility of signing: 4/5

#3 Nick Pope (Burnley)

The Burnley keeper started the season as understudy to Tom Heaton but a serious injury thrust Pope between the sticks and he grabbed it with both hands - full pun intended.

So good has been has form he is now in the England squad and has an outside chance of making the plane to the World Cup in Russia. He made his Premier League bow in his sides 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season.

Pope will not want to go back to understudy Heaton, so the impressive Englishman could well have his head turned by Klopp and the Burnley chairman Mike Garlick’s head with a £35 million bid. He recently received double awards at Burnley's player of the year awards, having kept 12 top flight clean sheets and helping the Clarets to seventh place in the Premier League.

Possibility of signing: 3.5/5

#2 Alban Lafont (Toulouse)

The just turned 19-year-old Toulouse keeper is currently one of hottest prospect between the sticks in Europe.

He made his debut as a 16-year-old and is the youngest debutant ever in Ligue 1. With over 90 appearances now, he is making a huge name for himself. Born in Burkina Faso, he moved to France with his father as a nine-year-old.

Representing France in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, it won’t be long before a senior call up though. Klopp could well relish developing this talent and a fee of €30 million could secure his signature.

Possibility of signing: 2.5/5

#1 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

Enter — Jan Oblak would help to turn Liverpool into serious title contenders should he move to Anfield this summer

The 25-year-old has been urged to remain at the Wanda Metropolitano by his manager Diego Simone, as the player continues to be linked with a move to both Arsenal and Liverpool.

Klopp will look to sign a shot stopper in the transfer market this summer and Oblak fits the profile of which the Kop boss will be looking for. He is a great shot-stopper, aggressive, good in the air and somebody who commands his area.

It remains to be seen whether the Slovenian would be willing to commit his future to Atletico, despite his current contract expiring in 2021. One thing's for sure, Liverpool would do all they can to persuade him to swap Madrid for Merseyside. The Reds would be expected to pay a fee in the excess of €80 million, especially in today's market inflation.