Why Genoa stopper could be Liverpool’s David de Gea
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While Liverpool were on the end of an unpleasant 3-0 loss at Manchester United in their last league game, the match was not nearly as one-sided as the scoreline suggests.
The Reds took 19 shots to United’s 11, putting nine on target to the hosts’ six. In the end the difference between the teams was easy to spot, his name was David de Gea.
Once a figure of fun, the Spaniard is now frequently described as the best keeper in the Premier League, and he was in inspired form against Liverpool, making seven saves.
In contrast, Brendan Rodgers was forced to turn to Brad Jones due to the hapless displays Simon Mignolet has turned in this term, but the American proved no better than the Belgian at Old Trafford.
Arsenal will be happy to see either of the pair in goal when they visit Anfield in the Reds’ next match, a game the hosts are 9/5 to win.
A new keeper in January is an absolute must for Rodgers’ side, and consequently Liverpool have been linked with almost every stopper in Europe over the past few weeks.
Some are unattainable – Iker Casillas isn’t moving anywhere anytime soon – while others are unlikely to improve the desperate situation at Anfield – John Ruddy springs to mind here.
However, all that scouting might finally have yielded one name that looks a perfect choice for Liverpool.
Genoa’s Mattia Perin has been quickly building a reputation as one of the best young stoppers in Europe over the past three seasons, and if Liverpool could secure the 22-year-old, they might solve their keeper conundrum for the next decade.
Perin’s superiority over Mignolet can be summed up by the following jaw-dropping stat from this season.
For every goal the 22-year-old has conceded this term, the Genoa man has made 3.67 saves. In Mignolet’s case that number sinks to a grim 1.59.
As a youngster, Perin might struggle to settle initially in the Premier League, but if Liverpool back him like United have De Gea, they could reap similar dividends as the Red Devils have with the Spaniard.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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