Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio has turned heads after his impressive display to frustrate Manchester City, and Liverpool were one of the clubs interested in him before joining the Turin side.
Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio rejected Liverpool in the summer, according to his agent, after the Italian shot-stopper produced a superb display against Man City.
Di Gregorio was impressive in Juventus’ 2-0 win over City in the Champions League on Wednesday and made two excellent stops to thwart Pep Guardiola’s men as he saved from both Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan.
There should be a host of teams who have had their heads turned by Di Gregorio’s performances this season after playing 15 times in all competitions for Thiago Motta’s men.
One of those interested teams are said to be Liverpool, according to Di Gregorio’s agent Carlo Alberto Belloni.
He claimed that the player “said no” to joining Arne Slot’s side when he was at Monza in favour of joining Juventus. He has joined the Old Lady on an initial loan with an obligation to buy.
“Surely, Manchester City fans will remember his saves for a long time,” Belloni told Tuttosport. “We said no to Liverpool in the summer to join the Juventus project.
“He’s working hard to improve continuously. He set up a gym at home so he can train on his days off. He has an incredible mentality, and his desire is to be part of a Juventus side that rewrites history and wins important trophies.”
Liverpool were looking for a goalkeeper in the summer amid fears Alisson could depart and ended up bringing in Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili – who will arrive in January.
The Reds had been without Alisson for two months before he returned in a 1-0 win over Girona this week, with back-up keeper Caoimhin Kelleher deputising superbly.
Slot will now be pleased to have three solid goalkeeping options after Alisson’s return and he was overjoyed with his Brazilian after slotting back into the side seamlessly following his lengthy absence.
He showed again today why I said so many times he is our first goalkeeper, nothing to do with Caoimh [Kelleher] he did so well.
“Alisson has been so important for so many years and showed why he is in my opinion one of the best or the best in the world. And let’s hope he can keep continuing to bring these performances. Let’s hope even more that he can stay fit.”
