Simon Mignolet to Liverpool: Will the Belgian be a success at Anfield?

File photo of Simon Mignolet trying to prevent Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling from scoring while he was playing for Sunderland

Liverpool‘s swift movement in the summer transfer window continues as they have accomplished the signing of Sunderland goal-keeper Simon Mignolet. The deal was no secret as reports had indicated that Brendan Rodgers was keen on getting a quick replacement given the possibility that Jose Reina could return to Nou Camp sooner or later.

Liverpool have already completed three signings prior to this deal in a hectic transfer window for the Merseyside club. Kolo Toure was signed on a free transfer from Manchester City. Luis Alberto, who spent his last season playing for Barcelona B, was pursued and acquired for £6.8m and Celta Vigo’s forward Iago Aspas followed soon after. Jose Reina has been a huge asset for Liverpool over the years and the goalkeeper is still considered to be one of the best in the world. It seemed that Rodgers shared a troubled relationship with the player as he was often put on the bench under the manager choosing to put Brad Jones in the goal. The Spanish goalkeeper revived his form in the latter half of the season but gave away a precious goal against Manchester City when Liverpool were in the lead by rushing out of his goal when he need not have, only to see Sergio Aguero perform a precision lob to equalize the score. It is no doubt that his campaign was punctuated by such mistakes and Brendan Rodgers had cause to worry but one can’t accept the fact that his form revived at the end of the season as he performed some gravity defying saves. The goal-keeper has excellent understanding when saving from dead ball situations and is good at dealing with one-on-one situations. If he is sold to Barcelona this season, it would be a premature end to his Liverpool career in some sense. On the other hand, there has been much to cherish in his long spell at Anfield. The goalkeeper was a leader on the pitch and always evoked uninhibited adoration from the Kop. He will have a prominent place in Liverpool’s history. Meanwhile, Mignolet had an excellent season for Sunderland last year keeping 11 cleans sheets at a club that finished fourth from the bottom. His performances were consistent and, apart from a howler against West Brom, there is not much evidence to doubt his capability. Mignolet is a low-key player who likes to stay out of trouble and concentrate on his football. The fact that he has almost hundred appearances in Premier League football at the age of 25 speaks volumes of the trust that he enjoyed at Sunderland, as well of the maturity he has at a young age. The fact that Reina might still be at the club next year, as Barcelona’s interest has faded due to Victor Valdes’ contemplation of yet another year at Nou Camp, means that Mignolet will have to compete with Reina for the position in the first team. Mignolet is not deterred by that possibility but looks at it as a positive challenge that will allow him to learn and develop. He said, “It’s a challenge, but that’s what you want. You want to play in the big games, you want to play for a big club and to play with pressure. I’m very confident in myself and my own abilities and I can’t wait to get the first clean sheet under my belt.” The price of £11million makes Mignolet Liverpool’s most expensive signing in this window and that means that his performance will be under constant scrutiny. It is never easy for a goalkeeper to settle into a new side and a positive beginning is almost necessary. If a goal-keeper is secure in the goal in the first few matches, that is he does not commit a blunder, the eyes are distracted whereas a bad beginning can often mean continued criticism a la David de Gea. Mignolet is not prone to nervousness and he usually forgets the occasional blunder which is a required quality in a goal-keeper but playing at a big club like Liverpool brings its own pressure. He has been signed on a long term contract which means that Brendan Rodgers has a lot of faith in him and the Liverpool faithful will be hoping that that faith has been deservedly invested.