da apostaganha： One of the biggest debates in the Premier League at the moment revolveS around Jurgen Klopp’s ongoing goalkeeping dilemma.
da wazamba： Simon Mignolet was widely viewed as unworthy of being the long term glovesman at Anfield following several costly errors throughout the last couple of years, so Loris Karius was brought in last summer and was initially seen as the man to finally provide some trust, stability and safety between the sticks for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
But that hasn’t really happened. Instead, Karius has made some costly errors of his own and now Mignolet has been reinstated as Klopp’s first choice stopper.
Should Klopp keep faith in the two goalies he has in the hope that at least one of them will reach the required level, or does he search the January transfer market for yet another man to trial in goal?
Does Klopp stick or twist? Here’s what our writers think…
Josh Challies – Stick
It’s definitely a wrong decision to sign another goalkeeper. Sure, Simon Mignolet is error prone but he’s still an international goalkeeper, with vast experience in the Premier League and he’d be a starter for many other clubs. As far as options go, he’s one of the better second-choice keepers in the league.
In Karius, Liverpool have a goalkeeper who is still just 23-years-old and can develop into a star in the future. The prime example of the benefits of sticking with a goalkeeper through their poor form is David De Gea, who was woeful at first in English football but is now arguably one of the best in the world.
Both have a long way to go until they’re goalkeepers capable of winning the title for Liverpool but I’d argue the same is the case across the squad. Patience is the key.
Danielle Joynson – Stick
Unless a world-class goalkeeper becomes available in January, Liverpool should stick with the pair they have. It is very rare for a Premier League team to win the title without a top shot-stopper in their ranks, and it will be a position that the Reds should assess at the end of the season if neither Loris Karius or Simon Mignolet step up to the plate.
All young players should be given time to improve, and at the age of just 23, Karius has room to develop, but there is nowhere to hide as a goalkeeper and if you’re playing for a title challenger, then time is not always a luxury.
Give Karius and Mignolet until the end of the season, but if I was Jurgen Klopp I would be making a phone call to Manchester City regarding a certain Joe Hart in the summer.
Chris McMullan – Stick
What a damning decision that would be: for Liverpool’s transfer dealings, for Jurgen Klopp’s coaching prowess, for two goalkeepers, and for any chance a lucky third keeper would have of feeling like Anfield wasn’t a death-ground for goalkeepers.
Liverpool should stick with what they’ve got if for no other reason than to try a third would be terrible on almost every conceivable level.
Besides, confidence is key for keepers. Imagine being slated from all corners, told you’re worthless in no uncertain terms by a failed manager and his busy brother, and had your name plastered all over the press in an unflattering light. Now imagine having to deal with a last minute skiddy dipper. Not so easy any more, is it?
Alex Hams – Stick
I can’t see the point in doing so in January, but it could be a problem to address in the summer.
It’s easily forgotten that Loris Karius has only been in English football for a few months and he is still young at 23. I think his ‘bombing out’ of the team against Boro will be a short-term measure and is likely Jurgen Klopp taking the chance to get him out of the firing line – imagine the fume if he made another blunder.
He’ll probably return at some point over the coming months when his problems have been somewhat forgotten about. As for Simon Mignolet, people forget that he’s not a bad goalie. It’s hard to pick seven or eight better than him in the league, and although that may not be where Liverpool want to be, it at least means he’s a respectable stand-in option.
Christy Malyan
Without a doubt, there’s a stigmatism attached to the Anfield goalposts. Simon Mignolet is by no means the worst goalkeeper to ever grace Merseyside, yet negativity towards the Belgian – not to mention his raft of admittedly below-par understudies – has seemingly seeped into the start of Loris Karius’ Reds career.
The German shot-stopper hasn’t particularly convinced he’s of Liverpool’s standard just yet. But it’s being quickly forgotten that he’s still just 23 years of age, trading a mid-table Bundesliga club for a top-end Premier League outfit.
Not too long ago, pundits were claiming David De Gea would never be a success in the Premier League – nowadays, most rate him as the best in the division if not European football. I’m not saying Karius will reach the same levels as the United No.1, but he certainly deserves more of a chance than just ten top flight appearances.
Likewise, as much as Karius has disappointed, Liverpool’s defence is hardly water-tight.
What do you think?
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