THE signing of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland for a fee believed to be around £9m fills a goalkeeping position vacated by the departed Peter Gulacsi but causes an interesting dilemma for Brendan Rodgers.
Pepe Reina is still here.
Mignolet has done well at Sunderland, in particular in his last season where he was their player of the season and a big reason they stayed up. Given that he was unlikely to sign a new contract at Sunderland, the Black Cats made the pragmatic decision to sell a key player. Mignolet has improved each season at Sunderland and racked up 101 top flight appearances, to go with the 104 he made as a young keeper at his only other club, Sint-Truiden of Belgium.
However until Pepe Reina arrived at Anfield, Liverpool had struggled to find a quality keeper despite repeatedly paying good money and signing some of the best young keepers around.
David James was highly rated when he arrived at Anfield to replace the legendary Bruce Grobbelaar, but after conceding 20 goals in his first 11 games, was dropped and Brucie was recalled. James went onto regain his place but his excellent save making ability was sharply contrasted by repeatedly making horrendous errors, leading to the moniker of “Calamity James”; a title he never really shook off, even when he had a late career renaissance holding down the England shirt.
Sander Westerveld joined for a British record fee for a keeper, £4m in 1999, but after having a good start to his Liverpool career, including a great run in the Treble Season, errors crept regularly into his game and his confidence never recovered. Jerzy Dudek similarly had a really good start to his Liverpool career, but despite his career highlight of Istanbul with a miraculous double save from Shevchneko and his own penalty heroics a la Grobbelaar, it didn’t protect him from the criticism of his handling errors and Rafa wielded the axe.
Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland were both amongst the most talented young keepers in the country when Liverpool signed them, but yet again the pressure and expectations of playing at Anfield were too much for both of them. Other keepers have also come and gone (Diego Cavalieri is presently at the Confederations Cup in Brazil after performing well for Fluminese). Perhaps we did miss an opportunity in not giving enough game time to the ever dependable Brad Friedel ahead of the erratic and flamboyant David James.
It hasn’t been since Rafa brought Reina to Anfield that we have had an outstanding keeper again between our sticks. Unlike other keepers who’ve had good first seasons, Reina’s consistency was key, he won the Premier League Golden Glove award 3 seasons running from 2005 to 2008, although the strength of our defence was also a big reason for this. In addition everyone knows the size of his personality and the importance he has in the Liverpool dressing room.
It’s rather uncertain what will happen to Pepe at present but despite his last two seasons being rather up and down Pepe, on form, is still the best keeper in the Premier League for me.
Yes, better than Joe Hart and David de Gea.
The issue is that he hasn’t been consistently at the top of his game for two seasons now, perhaps linked to Liverpool’s own falling away out of the Champions League spots, and this is why the signing of Simon Mignolet, to give him real competition, is a good move.
Mignolet is no doubt a good keeper who is likely to improve, but it takes a lot to be a success at Anfield. A key characteristic is that, unlike at Sunderland, a Liverpool keeper may not see or touch the ball for extended periods before having to pull off a key save, while at smaller clubs the keeper is involved more regularly. Concentration is critical.
Furthermore, with our present system Mignolet will also have to show how good he is with the ball at his feet, where Pepe is not only the best at this in the Premier League, but arguably world football. Mignolet is 25, and judging by the ages at which keepers tend to reach their peak he is the equivalent of a 20 year old outfield player. He may want to become Belgium’s No.1 keeper for the World Cup, but it will be better off if he has this bedding in period while Pepe is still at the club.
I hope Pepe stays at the club for the remainder of his contract and beyond. But if Barcelona do come calling in this or the next transfer window, or whenever Valdes actually leaves, at least then we’ll have a player ready and itching to take his place. However, filling Pepe’s shoes is easier said than done, so I for one hope to see Pepe Reina at least starting off the season in between the sticks at Anfield.
You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/
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I’m getting fed up with all the comments linking Reina away just because we’ve signed another goalkeeper. Lets not forget we did have Reina, Doni and Jones in the 11/12 year – All 3 had been first choice in top divisions. But we’ve never had a true competitor to keep Reina on his toes. I would like to think some of Reina’s form might be from having a double hernia during 11/12, and still somehow playing, and last season was getting his fitness back. Some people might say that a year to get back to fitness is a bit much, but he has had other injuries which will stifle his recovery and in top leagues when everyone around you is playing at 100% and you’re only at 95% the difference is as noticeable as playing in the park with people of all different abilities
Dont be silly. Rodgers wants Reina out
There is no way those tight americans would pay 10m for a second goalie.
Reina is a better keeper and hasn’t even reached his peak yet. This is another example of fsg downgrading our squad
I find it very worrying that we are signing and being linked with players who are POTENTIALLY good! Why are we not going in for proven ones? I mean who is aspas? Luis Alberto? Fair enough they might be young and prosperous but surely we need a couple of decent know quality players? Its no wonder that we are now a mid table team! It drives me mad that Rodgers is gambling with unheard players, Its frightening to think what he will do if he has to replace Suarez. Wake up and smell the coffee Brendan!
Mig had a much better season than Reina last year. To call Reina the best keeper in the Premier is laughable. Typical Scouse delusion.
The article clearly states he hasn’t been at his best the last 2 seasons, but at his best he IS the best keeper. We unfortunately haven’t seen his old consistency in recent seasons. He won 3 golden gloves in a row.
We will regret it big time if we let Pepe go
Please never compare Reina to De Gea or Hart, that would be silly. Have you ever imagined an opponent having just two attempts on goal and the two were actually converted… against Reina? Common guys let’s be realistic and stop being sentimental and forge ahead. Brendan go get us another defender plus Mkhitaryan and we’ll have no limits start of next season. YNWA