With all the rumours concerning Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s future, it wouldn’t surprise me if Brendan Rodgers was considering future options for the ‘number one jersey’ at this very moment.
Even if he can persuade the Spanish stopper to stay, it’s clear that Reina’s performances levels are waning. This is no temporary blip. Form has been an issue for Reina for over a season now. He’s started making careless errors, flapping at the ball and letting goals in at his near post.
He used to be a genuinely imperious presence – one of the best in the Premier League. Unfortunately he appears to be in the decline. I hope he can turn it around, but I won’t cross my fingers. He doesn’t look like an Edwin van der Saar type – a goalkeeper who can perform well into the final stages of his career.
Whilst he’s been a great servant for Liverpool football club, Rodgers can’t afford to be sentimental. If he’s no longer good enough, he should be moved on and replaced with somebody who is.
Yes, replacing him may be a challenge. But it’s going to have to happen soon enough, so let’s hope that Rodgers is already drawing up a list of potential targets.
What’s more, let’s hope that Jack Butland’s on that list. The Metro claim that Liverpool are in ‘advanced talks’ to wrap up a deal for the young English keeper, noting that deals for Butland, Daniel Sturridge and Thomas Ince could be wrapped up within ‘days’.
Whilst plenty of ink has been spent on Liverpool’s links to Sturridge and Ince, it strikes me that Butland would be just as important an addition.
After all, he’s already got a fantastic reputation. The 19-year-old Olympic goalkeeper moves swiftly across his area, is a fantastic shot-stopper and has a commanding, well organized demeanour. Birmingham City love the lad and they won’t want to let him slip out their grasp on the cheap.
It should also be borne in mind, that at 19-years-old, Butland is sure to make the occasional mistake. Take a talented young keeper like Wojciech Szczesny at Arsenal. For all his evident ability, errors are still a major part of his game. Butland is likely to be no difference. The difference between Butland and Reina, however, is that Butland will improve.
In that sense, this is a smart move from Brendan Rodgers. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get priced out of a move.
What’s your take? Should Liverpool be in the market for Jack Butland?
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Why don’t you do one Cloke, You have had Liverpool linked with every goalkeeper in the known world. Reina is going nowhere. and we already have good young keepers on the books. Go and annoy Old Red Nose for a change you stupid bleedin’ clown. As has been said many times before Harry Cloke is a joke.
In my opinion,Reina’s gotta find his form again or should face being sold.I love Pepe,i thank him for giving his 100% and helping us a lot but this season he’s been making a lot of mistakes.Even yesterday against Fulham,he made a save which looked like it was a simple shot but he didnt make a good save,he made it risky,with his legs.Can Reina find his great form again?I wouldnt want any goalkeeper in the world as i love Pepe.But thing is,this season he just lost it a bit.i also rate Jack Butland and if we signed him,i would be happy.
YNWA
Absolute rubbish this “article”…..isn’t there a toilet block somewhere that needs cleaning Harry??
Absolutely crackers. Pepe is vital to how Rodgers wants to play, why would he sell a proven quality keeper who the fans and players love, for an unproven kid who hasn’t particularly impressed at Championship level? Kasper Schmeichel is ten times better than Butland, and still nowhere near good enough for Liverpool. Whilst we’re there, why not sell Suarez and buy Charlie Austin?
If he can do ball distribution as Reina, it about time we replace him. I personally feel that he is not giving his 100% anymore after Rafa’s regime…
i think butland should be the one to have undergone a medical at melwood yesterday; reina’s form is basically on the decline.. To be honest; i think jones is better
It’s funny how players go through an indifferent spell and fans are quick to get rid. What happens to the lyrics of YNWA. Surely when a player has a dip in form tha’s where the proper support should help. I guess not with this modern fan. As soon as you make a mistake you should be shipped out of the door.
out
reina 12
enrique 8
henderson 14
downing 10
joe cole 4
pacheco 3
shelvey 4
carroll 18
total 73
in
ter stegen 12
amorebieta 15
strootman 14
eriksen 25
jovetic 30
sahin 10
total 106
———–ter stegen———–
kelly–amorebieta–agger–jonson
—–strootman——-sahin——
gerrard——jovetic—–eriksen
———–suarez—————