4 Jun 2015

Next transfer? After Milner, Liverpool want 'brilliant' £15m star Carra called 'world-class'

For many people, the jury is still out on Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who displayed his weaknesses once again in Liverpool's appalling end to the 2014-15 season. The Reds are on the lookout for a quality 'keeper to put the pressure on Mignolet, and to that end, Brendan Rodgers is reportedly considering a summer bid for Cardiff City stopper David Marshall.

Liverpool were first linked with a move for Marshall in April, and according to Wales Online this week. £15m-rated Marshall who has 'risen to the top' of Liverpool’s transfer hit-list (for goalkeepers).

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher is a big fan of Marshall, and he named the 29-year old in his Premier League team of the year for 2014. Explaining his inclusion, Carra enthused:

"He [Marshall] has made four or five world-class saves this season and hardly put a glove out of place when I have seen him. Without him, Cardiff may have been relegated long ago".

Marshall may be capable of 'world-class' saves, but overall, he is very far from a world-class goalkeeper.

* 2013-14: Premier League's top shot-stopper with 153 saves (4.1 saves per games)

* 2013-14: Conceded 73 goals in 37 league games (1.9 per game), which, even with Cardiff's poor form, is not the greatest.

* 2014-15conceded 47 goals in 38 games, which is an improvement over last season (1.2 goals per game).

* Career total: 463 goals conceded in 352 games (1.3 goals per game) | 73 clean sheets (1 every 6.4 games/16% of games)

Praise for Marshall:

Peter Shilton: "[David] Marshall's had a great season. When you're at the bottom of the league it's a lot harder for a keeper. When the side's not playing well, the defence loses confidence and you've got to be there to pick up the pieces".

Scott McNaughton: "He [Marshall] done a great job and I think he's probably one of the best in the league if not the best. I can't really see anybody else who's produced the sort of saves he does. Every time he's asked to make a save he's been brilliant"



Making saves is not the problem with Mignolet; he's one of the best shop-stoppers in the league, but his distribution; command of the penalty area, and catching (as seen against Norwich) are the main areas of contention, so any new goalkeeper should ideally be an upgrade in those areas.

Is Marshall a viable alternative to Mignolet?


Author: Jaimie K


35 comments:

  1. If we are looking for a commanding GK good at distribution then Ryan from Club Brugge seems like the best choice. He is young, good goalkeeping attributes and -most importantly- he is good enough to challenge Mignolet for a first team place.

    Other possible options are: Perrin, Navas, or Cech (slightly unrealistic with Cech though)

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  2. FSG really messed up not taking the chance to splash the cash on proven performers. We had the chance to show players we were in the CL to stay and blew it. THAT was the time to really go for it, now it's after the horse has bolted.
    We would also have dropped UTD right in it after they spent £170m
    We could have gone for Cech, Lacazette, Depay, Gundogan etc etc
    This is going to be painful watching the others get the best players this summer

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  3. Ryan is a brilliant keeper. He's small but commands his box well and bases his play style on neuer

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  4. I think we'll end up ruing letting Valdés get away. Not only an excellent goalkeeper, not only an excellent 'keeper with brilliant distribution as Rodgers would like, but an experienced leader who could be a big voice at the back and in the dressing room for our young squad.

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  5. Can't say I've seen a great deal Ryan but he does seem to have very good distribution.

    I think Navas and Perin are both affordable, realistic and very good options for us. The only question with the pair of them is how they adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premier League, because I don't think the quality of either is in doubt.

    Kameni had a great season for Malaga too. Might be worth a look. That said his predecessor Caballero looked great before him and didn't have a great season at City.

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  6. Marshall was a great shot-stopper from Cardiff when they were in the Prem, but I doubt he is the man for us. He's not even Scotland's number 1. Maybe not even their number 2, since McGregor was first-choice for a while. I'm assuming Gordon is back at the top of the pecking order after last season.

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  7. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva1:10 am, June 05, 2015

    I have said it before BR is building his resume for the England job. He really needs to go.

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  8. All I know is that he has a highlight reel specifically for distribution. Youtube can make anyone look special, but a whole video of just punts and goal kicks? That's pretty dang good...

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  9. Please explain to me exactly how the club can POSSIBLY justify spending A PENNY on ANYONE until they have brought in a LEGITIMATE WORLD CLASS STRIKER! They cannot afford to begin another season with Sturridge being their only "possible" legitimate striker. He could break down at any time, leaving them with NO ONE! Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli? As I said...NO ONE! If they don't bring in a legitimate first class striker, I officially give up!

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  10. Yep, that's pretty good, but we need more than that. Personally I'd rather have a great 'keeper who is at Mignolet's level re: distribution than someone with Valdés' feet and Tim Howard's hands.

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  11. I remember when Marshall made his debut for Celtic, as a substitute against Barcelona in the champions league, he had the game of his life. Don't think he's good enough to be our number 1 although he'd be an excellent back up keeper. Always good to see a fellow jock at Anfield too. Having said that, Charlie Adam is from my hometown so... yeah :-/

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  12. Ah goalkeepers - Scotland's depth position. Craig Gordon is a really good keeper, unfortunately he's the Daniel Sturridge of goalkeepers but at the moment he's probably first choice.
    Alan 'shagger' Macgregor... meh I'd probably have Marshall over him but you're right Marshall is Scotland's third choice keeper. He's better than Brad Jones though

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  13. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva2:56 am, June 05, 2015

    Migs

    Can /Wisdom Skrtel Sakho Illori

    Hendo Kovicac Milner

    Cortinho

    Vietto/Sudge Martinez/Lacazette

    Somerhing like this would be nice..but will never happen. What ever happens we need two strikers not one. Milner we have got Kovicac it is possible so is Vietto Martinez with the right sales pitch and wages maybe, Lacazette probable no hope.

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  14. Am I even surprised that we are connected to another average player from the UK that plays in an English league?


    Answer is no.

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  15. But together, they create the unstoppable trinity known as Lambortelli.


    Are you doubting Lambortelli? Please don't doubt Lambortelli.

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  16. I would love to hear the comments from non-UK managers/pundits about this player. Sad to see the club is slowly but definitely turning all-English. We are certainly going to be a proud English subject but definitely zero or sub-zero chance of playing in the UCL in the foreseeable future.

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  17. From initial target of Cech to now David Marshall...at a big loss of words to continue writing...

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  18. I reckon he probsbly is better than Brad Jones, but that isn't saying much. We need to aiming higher. I don't think it'd be that difficult to find a better 'keeper than Mignolet.

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  19. As far as goalkeepers go, why not just bring in a German, or at least someone from the bundesliga? Fahrmann, Burki, Leno, the market there is probably the best for what it offers.

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  20. I would love it if we could sign Lacazette but he is going to PSG or Manure

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  21. We should sign Navas as a competitor for Mignolet. Why haven't we signed one of the 2-3 strikers we need. Let's also hope the dirty 10, aka deadwood get dispatched for enough cash to support real quality clinical fast footed scorers.

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  22. Apparently he is not small by any measure really at 1.81m (5 ft, something inches). He is not imposingly tall but certainly he is not short

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  23. The problem there is continuing with playing people out of position. Can aint a RB and Illori aint an LB

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  24. Navas? Jesus? Oh my God!!

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  25. I feel your pain Mike. I think Rogers has one more season to sort it out. It will be much harder now that we are not in CL to attract the best. I think a good goalie is the least of our worries too.

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  26. What WAS I thinking??? :-).

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  27. Is it me or are we setting our sights rather low this summer?

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  28. I hear he's not the best on crosses.

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  29. This is awesome news as I'm from Cardiff :) now he isn't world class but he is a great keeer but you have to remember he plays for cardiff put him in a better team and he could be world class. 15 million no chance and he plays for my hometown, Cardiff would easily sell him cheap because they are a selling club and this guy is better than mignolet.

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  30. Why pay over the top prices again? Don't we ever learn? BTW, I reckon Mig has redeemed himself in the 2nd half of the season so we need not spend so much on a keeper. Where are out striking targets? One would've thought that would be priority. Enough with the freakin plan Bs already.Get your plan A sorted 1st for crying out aloud.

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  31. Pls stop mentioning Lacaztte. It's embarrassing really. His club has already ridiculed us.

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  32. I hear you and agree whole heartedly.It is indeed very frustrating for the fans.

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  33. Is he a free agent?

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  34. Sadly, couldn't agree more

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  35. Muhammad Ibrahim9:56 pm, June 07, 2015

    Carra did not call the keeper "world class" he said he made four or five "world class saves", Bobby Zamora has scored a few world class goals, Phil Jagielka has scored a world class goal, does that make then world class players? IMO, NO.


    Get a young upcoming keeper, like Perrin, M.Ryan, Simon Scuffet, Leno; and stick with them for the next 4 - 5 years, but we have to coach them well.

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