A closer look at Liverpool’s fourth signing of the season
There are question marks as to who will start for Liverpool between the sticks next season as current goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s future still hangs in the balance. He was touted for a return to Barcelona Victor Valdes’ decision to stay with the Catalan giants until 2014 means that this move could be put on hold, however, Rafa Benitez’s Napoli are also said to be keeping tabs on Reina’s situation. Despite the news about Valdes, Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet is set to move to Anfield for a reported £9million.
The Belgian, who recently lost his place in the national team to Thibaut Courtois, was Sunderland’s best player last season. He has been linked to a number of clubs but Liverpool have emerged as the frontrunners to claim his signature. Mignolet made an impressive 3.26 saves per game and saved 2.48 shots per goal as he helped Sunderland survive by the skin of their teeth. It is quite likely that without his heroics, the Black Cats would be in the Championship right now. He would fit in well at Anfield next season as he tries to win his place back in the Belgian national side before the 2014 World Cup.
He will become Liverpool’s fourth signing of the current window as Brendan Rodgers looks to build his new squad early to avoid another poor start to the season. Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas have already joined the club.
Bright future?
All these early deals have surprised the neutral and entranced the fans, it is unusual that the Anfield club do their business this early but with Mignolet to become the fourth new signing and Henrikh Mkhitaryan likely to follow soon, it seems there has been a change in policy. The depth which the club now possess means there is reason for optimism on Merseyside with these signings not likely to be the final ones.
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