Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers continues to be linked with a move for Victor Valdes, as doubts grow over the quality of Simon Mignolet.
The Belgium international joined the Reds from Sunderland in a £9million transfer last summer, and played in every Premier League match as the Anfield giants came within a whisker of winning a first league title since 1990. He has also started every game thus far this season, including each in the UEFA Champions League and League Cup, as Brad Jones remains on the sidelines.
However, Mignolet has come in for some criticism has Liverpool struggle to build on their fine performance of last season. He was called into question on Sky Sports on Monday night, when club legend Jamie Carragher couldn’t help but agree with colleague Gary Neville, who believes the 26-year-old should have prevented Everton’s equaliser last Saturday afternoon.
“I think the best goalkeepers who win big trophies make big saves at big moments,” he said. “That was a big moment. It’s not a massive mistake, but can he do better? Everyone always talks about Steven Gerrard slipping (against Chelsea last season) and costing Liverpool the league, but Demba Ba still had to go through. You’re looking at your keeper and thinking: ‘Come on, win us the league. Make that save that’s going to be a defining moment in the season.’”
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Barcelona legend Valdes, who is a free agent having left the Cam Nou at the end of last season. The 32-year-old helped the Catalan giants win six league titles and three Champions Leagues during his lengthy spell with his hometown club, and Carragher believes the experienced goalkeeper could be an option for the Merseyside club.
“We talk about goalscorers, but keepers make a massive difference and at those big moments you’ve got to make big saves,” he added. “Up until now in his Liverpool career he (Mignolet) hasn’t made those big saves. If it continues I can see Liverpool looking for another goalkeeper. There was talk of Victor Valdes because he is a free agent, but he has got to improve.”
Is Mignolet on borrowed time at Liverpool already, or is criticism of him a tad harsh? Let us know what you think by joining in the discussion below.
