Tap For Menu  
Single word yields best result

Football News: Liverpool FC - Goalkeeping Dilemma Part 1

It goes without saying that Liverpool need a solution for their goalkeeper position. The position hasn't had any kind of stability since Pepe Reina left the club.

Simon Mignolet looks likely to leave and Danny Ward will want to leave at least on loan to try and re-start his career. So that could leave Liverpool with only one senior keeper; Loris Karius.

(This piece will cover the 3 keepers who I personally feel are most likely options to be our first choice next season)

Loris Karius

Mentality:
Karius is generally quite a reliable keeper and rarely makes glaring errors as a result of a lack of concentration. Of course, that all went out the window on May 26th, 2018 but everyone has bad days, and they don't define us. He will have to show character to come back from that night though. 7/10

Handling:
This is a huge hole in his abilities. Karius has an awful habit of slapping crosses, palming out soft shots, and letting the ball slip through his hands. It's his one major flaw but sadly it is a very important aspect of goalkeeping. 5/10

Sweeping:
If his handling is average then his sweeping is equally superb. It is a risky business playing as a sweeper keeper, but Karius's speed and bravery make him one of the Premier League's best in this department. 8/10

Reflexes:
Karius isn't the best shot stopper because he is slow to react and extend himself fully. He always looks like he saw the shot late. When called upon to make instinctive saves though, he sometimes pulls a rabbit out of the hat. 6/10

Distribution:
Karius is excellent at distributing the ball. He releases the ball quickly when he can, and rarely plays people into trouble. People may point to the throw straight to Benzema, but part of playing out from the back is getting it wrong sometimes. Ederson passed it straight to Mo Salah and then got lobbed. It happens. 8/10

Presence:
A combination of being vocally and physically dominant is a desirable trait, and Karius just isn't. He flaps at crosses (partly because of his poor handling), but he often gets flattened by his own players because he just isn't giving a loud enough call. 5/10

Karius is a decent premier league keeper. He suits Liverpool's style of play because he specialises in quick distribution and playing a sweeper role. The club should be aiming higher long term though. He isn't so bad that having him for another season would be hugely detrimental; in fact, before the Champions League final, most fans were up for giving him another season. Overall score 39/60

Alisson Becker

Mentality:
Alisson is a very focused keeper which is why Brazil pick him over Ederson. He rarely ever makes a bad mistake. He also showed great attitude and patience when trying to break into the AS Roma side. 9/10

Handling:
As is the general trend with modern keepers, Alisson also struggles with his handling at times; often choosing to simply palm or punch the ball away. This is his weakest area, but he is still well above average. 7/10

Sweeping:
Roma generally play a very high line and Alisson coped with that quite well. He isn't the quickest but he always takes up a good starting position and reads the game well. 8/10

Reflexes:
Incredible to be quite honest. The term "cat like" is popular for modern goalkeepers but Alisson genuinely lives up to it at times. His reactions are second only to David De Gea's in world football. 9/10

Distribution:
Contrary to popular belief, Alisson does misplace the odd throw or kick! Sometimes I feel as if he has gone for something too spectacular. Generally though, he is very good with his feet and even beats on-rushing strikers from time to time! 8/10

Presence:
This area is loosely tied in with handling as keepers who struggle to catch crosses tend to hesitate before leaving their line, and thus can be less dominant. Alisson does organise well though and he isn't the worst on crosses by any stretch. 7/10

All things considered, Alisson is one of the better keepers in world football; arguably in the top 5 in the world. He has no major flaws, and is exceptional in a couple of aspects. It would be a major coup for Liverpool to pull this off, but it seems to grow more unlikely every day as the player wants a move to Real Madrid. Overall score 48/60

Jack Butland

Mentality:
One of Butland's biggest flaws is his lack of concentration. He is actually a good all around keeper, but he makes so many poor mistakes. I sometimes feel as if he is trying so hard to make up for lost time, that instead of just dealing with the situation, he gets ahead of himself and thinks about what he will do next. 5/10

Handling:
In general, his handling is actually very good when he is focusing; arguably one of the best in the Premier League. He is very good at holding on to bouncing shots and deflections in particular. 8/10

Sweeping:
I wouldn't consider Butland to be a sweeper keeper, but he is quite athletic for a big bloke and when called upon to come off his line, he is better than your average keeper. Mark Hughes tried to play a high line and Butland was not the reason it failed. 6/10

Reflexes:
This is probably Butland's strongest area. His shot stopping is superb and though he is not at Alisson's level, he is still one of the best in the Premier League in this department. His huge 6ft5in frame helps him to claw shots right out of the top corner. 8/10

Distribution:
Butland has not been anywhere near as good with his kicking since his ankle injury. It's hardly a weakness, but it's no longer a major strength like it once was. However his throws out from the back continue to be very good. 7/10

Presence:
Again, since his injuries he has struggled. He looks lacking in confidence and a keeper who is not confident in himself will never be authoritative. He was once very good at commanding his box due to his superb handling, but that quality has been on show less and less of late. He looks nervous. 5/10

Butland was once the brightest goalkeeping prospect in English football and was tipped by former great keepers like Ray Clemence and Shay Given to have a fantastic career. He has to try and put his injuries behind him, and come out of his shell. If Liverpool want him, he is very much attainable. Overall score 39/60

Written by Adam Jones June 12 2018 19:10:17

 

Discuss rumours and transfers on our Liverpool rumours web page