Didi Hamann admits he could see Liverpool signing Ron-Robert Zieler in the summer.
The gossip columns have linked Liverpool with a move for the Hannover No.1, who was on the books of Manchester United at the start of his career. And a report released this evening has stated that the Reds are considering a bid for the 34-year-old, who could be available for a nominal fee "despite recently triggering a one-year extension in his contract" with the 2. Bundesliga outfit.
Alisson Becker is Liverpool's undisputed No.1. But both of the Brazilian's back-ups could leave Anfield this summer. Second-choice Caoimhin Kelleher is said to being tracked by a number of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford, while Adrian may depart having made just one appearance all season.
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The report, from Football Insider, reveals the Reds have contacted representatives of Zieler, who would count toward homegrown quotas in domestic and European competitions as a result of the time he spent at United.
Hamann, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, was asked about the prospects of his former club signing the five-capped Germany international, who once played for Leicester City.
Speaking to BestGamblingSites, Hamann said: "Zieler is playing for Hannover and he’s a good goalkeeper. Whether he fits the bill for a number two remains to be seen because I think Liverpool were very, very lucky and fortunate to have a number two like Kelleher who I rate as a brilliant goalkeeper. I've got no doubt he'll be a very good number one for a good club next season.
"If Liverpool rate Zieler high enough to be their number two, then I can see that happening. Alisson Becker is hardly injured, so I think the opportunities for the number two at Liverpool in the last three or four years were very limited."
While the Reds may need to sign a new No.2, midfield remains the priority for manager Jurgen Klopp. And Hamann was asked about Alexis Mac Allister, the Brighton & Hove Albion star who won the World Cup with Argentina in December and who is on Klopp's shortlist.
"Mac Allister was brilliant at the World Cup," said the former Germany international. "A great team player. At Brighton he has done wonderful things and I think Liverpool need to be talking about players who lead teams, someone who makes other players better and I don’t think they have enough of those types of players at the moment.
"(Virgil) van Dijk used to do it but he’s got a few issues himself. If they could get that done, I think it would be brilliant news for Liverpool fans because once you sign him, it gives you a better chance and opportunities to sign other players as well."
Hamann would like the Reds to make a move for West Ham United captain Declan Rice. However, he wonders whether they will be priced out of the market for the England midfielder.
Hamann said: "Liverpool probably need to spend nearly £250million in the summer. If he costs £100million, plus wages, that’s probably close to half the budget on one player. So it depends how many players they want to bring in because I suspect they need a defender as well, and two or three midfielders. Then you see which other areas they want to strengthen.
"I like Rice, I said a few weeks ago he’s a player that would help Liverpool tremendously, but £100million is a lot of money. It depends how much money they have because Mac Allister won’t be cheap either. If you need three, four, five players, to spend half the budget on one player obviously limits your options for the other players you want to bring in.
"If he costs £100 million plus, or close to it, it is probably not a player which Arsenal or Liverpool can afford."
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