Liverpool have been slowly getting their Premier League season back on track after a nightmare November which saw them suffer three consecutive defeats.
Brendan Rodgers’ side has only lost one fixture in the last 13 in all competitions but still there is major concerns surrounding the defence – primarily the goalkeeping position.
Simon Mignolet has returned to the side having prevously been dropped ‘indefinitely’ following an injury to Brad Jones and the Belgian has done little to suggest his form has picked up in the time sat on the sidelines.
The Belgian enjoyed a relatively successful debut season at Anfield but has gone on to make several blunders that have left our resident Reds fans’ heartbeats racing a little too fast for their own good this term.
Most Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are in agreement a new number one should be Brendan Rodgers’ transfer priority this month.
So with that in mind, we have identified five Mignolet upgrades for the Liverpool boss to consider.
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Click on Simon Mignolet to reveal five upgrades for Liverpool to consider this month.
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Mattia Perin
The Reds have already been in contact with Serie A side Genoa about the prospect of signing 22-year-old goalkeeper Mattia Perin according to the player’s agent.
Perin is an Italian international and highly regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe.
Arsenal are also thought to be interested in the young shotstopper who would command a fee of around £12 million.
But with Liverpool’s goalkeeping problems well documented, there is no doubt the signing of a keeper so young would be considered a major gamble.
Matthew Ryan
Reports this week suggest Brad Jones may shortly not be the only Australian goalkeeper plying his trade at Anfield.
The Reds have apparently expressed an interest in Club Brugge goalkeeper Matthew Ryan who was number one for the Socceroos during the World Cup in Brazil last summer.
Something of an unknown quantity in English football, again this is a signing that could be considered a risk.
Anyone who hasn’t seen any of the Aussie shot-stopper in action can watch some of his best saves below.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Barcelona only completed the signing of German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the summer, yet he has hardly featured at the Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants paid Borussia Monchengladbach almost £10 million to secure the 22-year-old’s services yet Claudio Bravo currently holds the number one shirt, leaving Liverpool free to make their enquiries.
Before signing at the Camp Nou, ter Stegen was talked about as the new Manuel Neuer. It remains to be seen whether Barca will be willing to part company with someone who has been at the club for little more than six months however.
Asmir Begovic
Liverpool have been linked with Stoke City’s Bosnian stopper for the best part of two years and were reportedly priced out of a move in the summer of 2013.
Rodgers opted for Mignolet that summer as he was £6 million cheaper than the £15 million the Potters were quoting but given his contractual situation at the Britannia Stadium, the Reds are confident they can land him for a figure closer to £10 million this month.
Begovic has made no secret of his desire to play at a higher level having proven to be one of the most consistent Premier League goalkeepers of the past three years.
Petr Cech
Despite being one of the undisputed best goalkeepers in world football over the past 10 years at Chelsea, Petr Cech has found himself on the bench for the best part of this season.
He returned for last weekend’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United but with Thibaut Courtois considerably younger, it is clear Cech’s long-term future no longer lies at Stamford Bridge.
Whilst Jose Mourinho is adamant the 32-year-old is going nowhere, the chance of playing week in, week out at one of the country’s most famous clubs may be more appealing than warming the bench every week for Cech. It just depends on whether the Reds hurry up and make a move.
