28 Dec 2015

Contact Made: Liverpool offered chance to sign 'extraordinary' international for cut-price €4m. Bargain?

Despite Jurgen Klopp's (ludicrous) recent claim that Simon Mignolet is beyond criticism, recent mistakes have underlined yet again Liverpool's urgent need for a new goalkeeper, and Marseille 'stopper Steve Mandanda is the latest 'keeper to be linked with a move to Anfield.

Last week, The Telegraph claimed that Liverpool are tracking Mandanda, and according to French newspaper L'Equipe this week:

* Marseille are in contact with LFC, and have offered Liverpool the chance to sign Mandanda, whose current contract expires in 2016.

* Marseille are allegedly willing to sell for €4m.

Like Mignolet, Mandanda is:

* A backup goalkeeper for his national team.

* His club side's first-choice goalkeeper.

Is the 30-year old - described this month by Marseille boss Michel as 'a leader' and 'the boss' in the dressing room - a significant upgrade on Mignolet, who is the most error-prone Premier League player over the last three seasons:

PRIMARY STATS (In comparison to Mignolet):

Goals

* Man: 447 conceded in 414 games at Marseille (1.1 per game/1 every 83 mins)

* Mig: 138 conceded in 117 games at LFC (1.2 per games/1 every 77 mins)

Clean Sheets

* Man: 132 in 414 games(1 every 3.1 games/1 every 262 mins).

Mig: 36 in 117 games (1 every 3.3 games/1 every 295 mins)

Saves (Last 3 seasons)

* Man: Saved 66% of shots on target.

* Mig: Saved 67% of shots target.

Stats: OPTA

As the stats show, Mandanda concedes fewer goals than Mignolet, and achieves clean sheets on a more regular basis, so based on primary stats, he appears to be an upgrade on the Belgian.

According to ex-Marseille boss Elie Baup, Mandanda is an 'extraordinary' performer and 'the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1'.

Should Liverpool accept Marseille's offer and sign Mandanda in January?

Author: Jaimie K


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