GOALKEEPERS seem to be all the rage at the moment.
With the World Cup knockout stages getting off to a flyer, Sunday’s action left two Premier League ‘keepers with questions to answer.
For Manchester United’s David de Gea those questions have mostly come from back in his home country, after a less than impressive tournament with Spain. For Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel people will ask how his heroics against Croatia didn’t see Denmark through to the quarter finals.
The goalkeeper question is something Liverpool fans are not alien to. It seems to have been top of the agenda at Anfield ever since Rafa Benitez left the club in 2010. The Spaniard’s departure was followed by the sharp decline of his previously ever-reliable compatriot Pepe Reina, who was eventually bombed out by Brendan Rodgers during the summer of 2013.
Since then, Liverpool have chopped and changed between the sticks but haven’t yet found a long-term solution. Simon Mignolet was Reina’s immediate successor. Brad Jones even had a go. Loris Karius has burned out heads in a short space of time, and now it looks like The Reds will need to spend big in order to solve the problem.
Karius may not have played his last game for the club, as some would have hoped in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, but there’s no question it’s an area that still needs strengthening.
Potential departures for Mignolet and Danny Ward could also force The Reds’ hand, with both reported to be open to a move away in search of more regular playing time. Given Karius’s performance in Kyiv, it’s hard to see Liverpool going into the market for somebody to play second fiddle.
So who should The Reds be after? Alisson Becker is a name that has cropped up time and again, but there could be the added complication of Roma looking for compensation, of sorts, for Mo Salah’s massively successful season. Jan Oblak is another name that has been touted by journalists, and would seem a no brainer to many who have seen the Atletico ‘keeper in action.
It’s obviously early days, with the speed of the Fabinho deal increasing the expectation for more arrivals. The message coming from the club is that they will wait till after the World Cup to complete any further business. Yet, while there seems to have been movement of some kind around Nabil Fekir — despite current complications around the deal — and even Xherdan Shaqiri, things remain quiet on the goalie front.
Perhaps the stumbling block is money. There have been suggestions that Liverpool don’t agree with the asking price Roma have set for Alisson, and it would likely take an £80million release clause being triggered to force Atleti to part with Oblak.
If that is the case, a ‘keeper like Schmeichel Jr may set a few tongues wagging on Merseyside. For Denmark and often for Leicester, he has looked assured, quick off his line, good with his feet and has pulled off some great saves, not least during Sunday’s clash with Croatia.
With Roma rumoured to be interested, Schmeichel could be key to Liverpool’s transfer business in any case, where a move to the Stadio Olimpico could clear a path for Alisson to leave. But, should the Italians pass up the opportunity to sign the Dane, maybe Schmeichel should be the player The Reds take a look at themselves.
The Daily Mail’s north-west football reporter Dominic King tweeted yesterday that Schmeichel was not a player on Liverpool’s radar, despite several bookies listing The Reds as favourites to secure his signature. Perhaps their interest could be piqued further down the line if Alisson and Oblak prove unattainable.
Two other names that have hit the rumour mill since the curtain closed on the 2017-18 season are that of Jasper Cillessen and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Cillessen is second choice at Barcelona and despite claims that Liverpool had dropped their interest, Sport in Spain clam they would have made negotiations difficult anyway, as payback for The Reds’ stubborn stance over Philippe Coutinho.
Meanwhile, AC Milan have reportedly set an asking price of over 50m euros for Donnarumma. His agent Mino Raiola believes nobody would pay that for the 19-year-old, but perhaps it would be worth it in the long run to sort out a problem position, although his lack of experience at the highest level may mean Karius continues to get a good portion of minutes — which would stick in the craw of some.
Despite having shown a propensity in the past for giving players a chance, it seems unlikely that Jürgen Klopp would want to be heading into next season with Karius as his number one, particularly if Mignolet and Ward were to depart and leave Kamil Grabara as Liverpool’s most likely second choice.
Some have pointed to de Gea’s performances during the World Cup as evidence that Karius could still turn his fortunes around, but there’s the obvious caveat of Man United’s first choice performing at a consistently world-class standard for several seasons, compared to a few months of steady progression from Liverpool’s German.
Whatever move The Reds choose to make could be crucial to their chances of success. Last season they made moves to shore up the defence, which has been subject to criticism for several years. A few more tweaks could be the ticket to long overdue silverware.
So what’s it to be? Twist and possibly reap the rewards that were within touching distance in Kyiv. Or stick and potentially be made to rue more ricks between the sticks.
For regular transfer rumour shows throughout the summer, as well as special podcasts around The Reds’ signings, SUBSCRIBE to TAW Player…
“Players tend to be either or attacking or more defensive… he can do both.” 👏@MelissaReddy_ on the Reds’ newest midfielder…
🎥 Watch today’s Talking Reds in full here 👉https://t.co/rRnx6mfQ8F
🗣 Listen to our Naby Keita special here 👉 https://t.co/n6JEpxyXkF pic.twitter.com/pJcbB13GZu
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) 28 June 2018
Recent Posts:
[rpfc_recent_posts_from_category meta=”true”]
Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
So you’re basing the need to replace Karius on one game? Yes he was badly at fault for two goals but being concussed can’t have helped. He was playing well until that violent assault on him by Ramos. Karius had also played really well after he resumed No 1 duties and was growing in confidence every game.
If Jürgen has faith in the guy and his teammates respect him then that’s fine with me. As someone who witnessed all of Brucie’s Liverpool career I am happy to support Karius.
I’ve said on our podcasts before that Klopp won’t completely give up on Karius, to be fair. My main line of thinking is that, if Mignolet and Ward go, Klopp surely wouldn’t sign somebody who he doesn’t think would be an improvement on Karius.
So what’s it to be? Twist and possibly reap the rewards that were within touching distance in Kyiv. Or stick and potentially be made to rue more ricks between the sticks.
Think this sums up what Josh thinks needs to be done, but I think the GK situation, whatever that actually looks like, is the one that gets done last. We have to remember, and its been discussed at length on several pods by TAW, that Klopp thinks differently to fans – Karius may well have burnt heads, be a fragile mess etc to fans, but Klopp may well see Kyev for what it was…one bad night. I simple don’t see him bombing a lad for that.
Note the use of “possibly” and “potentially”. If Klopp chooses to back Karius, and sign somebody to just play second fiddle when Mignolet and Ward leave, I’ll back his decision and hope he comes good. But if he decides to sign somebody who’s a clear improvement on Karius (as several journalists have reported) we might not have anymore nights like Kyiv.
yeah, I noticed that. Still pretty clear which way you want to go though.
That’s fine, no issues, just an opinion.
I’m all for a “clear improvement” too mate, if we can, just don’t see Schmeichel as any sort of upgrade. Might as well stick with Karius if the only keepers we can get are on par with him so long as his head’s right. Without concussion he’s actually not half bad.
If Liverpool can spend massive amounts to improve the defense ( VVD) midfield ( Keita and FAbinho ) and up front for ( Mane and Salah ) all under Klopp , I fail to see why they need to be patient and hopeful to see if Karius will ever improve and be steady for a title run. He needs to be replaced now and with someone of higher quality
Josh, while I agree with the idea of upgrading on Migs and Danny Ward, how come you, TAW or some supporters don’t address the goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg? Or do you not have the authority or clout to really write what you think?
JA been at LFC since 2009.
How many of the goalkeepers has he scouted (Migs for one according to Rodgers) over the past 9 years and transformed into (what everyone thinks/wants) is “World Class” Goalkeepers?
Perhaps the part of the problem is this guy.
Does Achterberg have he experience and mentality of winning? What is resume/CV look like?
Maybe Klopp has faith in him because he might be another “Yes” man, but I find it to be akin to Klopp having faith in Moreno, Lovren, Mignolet and/or Karius. It’s hit or miss.
It’s very easy to scapegoat Karius based on one or two games when the GK coach has done fuck-all for the past 9 years with goalkeepers at LFC, other than scouting/recommending them, and then compare our goalkeepers to what people think are upgrades after watching some World Cup games.
I wouldn’t want to comment on somebody being bad at their job when I don’t actually see them carrying out their duties day to day, to be honest. That’s like me saying you’re bad at your job despite having never seen you work.
Well that’s part of the problem then. You haven’t seen Karius day in and day out with John Achterberg have you?
What do you know about the training methods that he has going for him in these sessions throughout the season? Are they or have they been good enough for current and past keepers?
We hold Jurgen Klopp responsible if matches or titles are not won or when we have a poor performance. We laud Jurgen when we see a player like Firmino or Sadio Mane transformed under Klopp.
Where does it start and end with Goalkeepers then?
And speaking of upgrades based on World Cup performances, did you watch the Uruguayan keeper, Muslera against France today?
He’s one of the most experienced keepers and made the same mistake like Karius that cost them a place in the World Cup semi final.
Good thing Twitter and Twats on it weren’t around when Bruce Grobelaar had his first season. These idiots would have also called for Paisely’s head.
Grobbelaars first season? Whole fucking career.
Short term memory loss Mr. Girling?
Remember that Bruce had to fill Clemence’s shoes, and those were big shoes too.
Compared to the goalkeepers and goalkeeping coach we have of today, whose big shoes is Karius, Ward or Migs filling in for today??
Btw here’s some stats off the history books:
Bruce’s win ratio is higher than Clemence’s.
Win ratio: 57.96% W:364 D:156 L:108
Honours: League Championship 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90; FA Cup 1986, 1989, 1992; League Cup 1982, 1983, 1984; European Cup 1984
“Whole fucking career”? LOL!
Regardless of Karius’ performance in Kyiv, I thought Klopp would already be looking for another keeper, as I expect Migs to leave. He has pretty much said he wants to play and needs to review his options, which in my mind, means he’s off. I don’t think Klopp has been convinced entirely who should be in nets, hence rotating between the two for most of the last two seasons, so I expect another keeper to come in and, I would hope, it would be someone who is an upgrade (on paper!) to come in as first choice. But, I’ll get behind whoever it is in goal.
and what exactly is wrong with Danny Ward ?
Good work Josh!
I wouldn’t mind seeing a better keeper come in either, but I don’t think Schmeichels’s the guy. If you ignore the world cup and look at last season, in most keeping metrics Karius outperformed him. If he was cheap then fine, he’d be decent competition, but I reckon Leicester would demand a fair old whack and I just don’t see him being worth it.
Still think that may are underrating Karius based on that one game too. He was part of a defence that conceded just 14 goals in 19 league games he started, which would equate to 28 goals over a season – that’s a title challenging number. His save percentage is up with anyone in the league not called De Gea or Pope too. Yeah, there are better keepers about but I don’t think there are that many obtainable and, no offence, I just don’t see Scmeichel as being one no matter how good he’s looked this tournament. We’d be paying through the nose for a 31 year old sideways step (at best) and I’m not sure there’s any point.
Josh, are you sure you have posed the actual dilemma that Klopp faces with “Twist and possibly reap the rewards that were within touching distance in Kyiv. Or stick and potentially be made to rue more ricks between the sticks.*
In the second half of the Premier League season, Liverpool had the second best defensive record (conceding 1 goal more than bus parking Man U with De Gea). Karius had the highest number of clean sheets of any keeper in last year’s Champions League. These stats aren’t the be all and end all, but they suggest a big investment in a keeper might only deliver marginal improvement. With Karius in goal Liverpool reached the CL final and kept pace pretty well with City over the final half a season.
Perhaps the real dilemma is stick with what you have and look for incremental improvement to deliver the big prizes, or spend a huge sum on a keeper who might actually let in more goals or make his mistakes in the group stages of the CL, rather than the final?
It makes no sense to bomb out a keeper for one half of one game while concussed. None.
Karius was very good to excellent in the half season when he started. Why would we spend a bundle on another first-choice keeper who has little likelihood of improving on Karius?
It’s nonsense to make a huge judgment on a keeper over one game’s performance. Would you decide a keeper was wonderful on the basis of one game? Of course not. It’s ridiculous.
The problem with Schmeichel is not addressed, I don’t think. It is that his dad as a dyed in the wool redmanc hates us. He will be saying to him “not over my dead body”.
@GraemeR: Well said. Couldn’t agree more: Karius looked better and better with each game. great reflex saves; quick off his line; commanded his box well, and distribution much better than Mignolet’s. And then Kiev, and suddenly he’s a joke; a waste of space. He is just 25 yrs and is learning daily. Outfield players make gaffes every game and still are given the benefit of the doubt, look at Moreno, look at Matip, and then there is Raheem Sterling…! Unfortunately, Goalkeeping errors are often fatal and there’s the rub. I’m all for persevering with Karius. I think he has many good/great years ahead of him and I would like them to be with us. By all means go in for another keeper – we need at least two – but let’s not let our Kiev upset cloud our overall judgement.
Fully agree mate. Problem is way too many of our lot have gone beyond that stage.
Great stuff Josh! One small issue I have is describing Donarumma as not having enough experience. I looked it up and if my maths are right he’s only 14 top flight appearances behind Karius. I’d consider that pretty similar.