Having sent Pepe Reina out on loan to Napoli, there’s a good chance that the Spaniard won’t ever return to Anfield. He’s been a loyal servant to Liverpool Football Club, but having an opportunity to continue playing under Rafa Benitez and excelling in Serie A may be too good to turn down.
What’s more he won’t be blind to the fact that Brendan Rodgers has already signed his replacement, Simon Mignolet. The former Sunderland stopper has had an excellent first season between the sticks for the Reds. He’s agile, smart and he rarely makes mistakes.
There’s every reason to believe that he could be Liverpool’s first choice keeper for many years to come.
But that’s no reason not to sign some major competition. Brad Jones is a good option, but he doesn’t exactly scream ‘world class’. Since 2010, Jones has made just 29 professional appearances (for both Liverpool and Derby County). Can Liverpool really afford to wipe away coats of rust every time they whip him out?
This brings me to The Mirror‘s claim that Brendan Rodgers is in the market to sign another keeper this summer and that Barcelona’s Victor Valdes could be an option. That’s some pretty intriguing news!
Having won six La Liga titles, perhaps he’s ready for a new challenge? I’d certainly love to see him get some game time in the Premier League. At 32-years-old, the time’s probably right for him to start seeking out the final contract of his career. One more big pay day. Can Liverpool provide him with this?
He’s good enough to keep Mignolet on his toes and press him for a place in the first team. Moreover, he’s old enough that he won’t block the Belgian’s path to first team football indefinitely.
As such, it’d be hard to argue against this signing, so long as he doesn’t break the bank. If Rodgers and co. put their best feet forward when it comes to negotiating, there’s no reason why they can’t pull off a decent deal here. After all, he’s no spring chicken!
The Mirror suggests that Liverpool will also face competition from Manchester City, which could seriously damage their chances. But this shouldn’t deter the Reds from getting their hands on a player who could play a key role for them over the coming seasons.
What’s your take? Do Liverpool really need another goalkeeper? Would Victor Valdes be a good choice?
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