It is now an open secret that Liverpool are actively looking to sign a goal keeper in the January transfer window. Several top goal keepers – Petr Cech, Norberto Neto and Guillermo Ochoa – have been linked with the club in recent months, clearly reflects where the priority lies.
According to Italian media TMW, Liverpool are closing in on the Argentine shot stopper Sergio Romero, who is also a reported target of Manchester United, if the reports are to be believed. Louis van Gaal wanted to sign him in the summer as a back up keeper for David de Gea (as per Gazetta dello Sport), but the deal didn’t materialise in the end.
Romero’s agent, Mino Raiola, who has a good connection with Liverpool having engineered a summer move for his another top client Mario Balotelli, is thought to be orchestrating the move from behind. From the report we also know, both the clubs are in regular contact, and that a deal is likely to take place in January.
Liverpool’s first choice goal keeper Simon Mignolet has cut a frustrating figure this season, failing miserably to exude necessary confidence at the back. His series of lacklustre performances have been heavily criticised by the fans and football pundits, and it seems like Rodgers is slowly running out of patience on him as well.
Liverpool clearly are lacking a leader at the back. The jittery back four has been exposed time and again; a major chunk of blame falls on the goal keeper (along with the centre-backs), whose incapability in marshalling the troops has left the defensive unit in tatters.
Mignolet is good at shot stopping but that’s the basic ability any goal keeper at this level should possess. To be the leading goal keeper at a club like Liverpool, you need something more, something extra. His poor distribution prevents Liverpool setting up attack from the back, while his lack of command in the penalty area leads to improper communication with fellow team-mates, resulting in an obvious incoherence.
Romero could be a good signing for the Reds. The 27-year-old not only has the experience of playing and performing at top levels (heroics in the FIFA World Cup 2014), but he ticks all the right boxes that Mignolet fails on his part.
He has a strong physical presence and commands his area with authority and aplomb. The Argentine might not have a colourful profile but he is certainly more than an average keeper and could prove to be a decent buy for the Reds in a months’ time.
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