Liverpool Transfer News: Why Brendan Rodgers Must Not Sign Diego Godin

Photo: Emilio Naranja/EFE

If Liverpool sell Daniel Agger to Manchester City, Brendan Rodgers will replace the Dane with Atlético Madrid defender Diego Godín, according to Wayne Veysey of Goal.com.

Veysey added:

The experienced Uruguay international has been regularly scouted by the Merseysiders over the past 12 months and has emerged as the chief contender to supplement the defence if they cash in on Agger.

If that was the case, the Reds should have marked Godín's name off possible Liverpool signings.

Here's why Rodgers must not sign Godín.

Inconsistent Performances

David Ramos/Getty Images

Liverpool would be foolish to expect elite performances from Diego Godín, whose career has been in sharp decline since the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Godín was like a deer caught in the headlights as Barcelona ran rampant over Atletico Madrid in a 5-0 win last season.

In a 4-1 defeat to city rivals Real Madrid, Godín committed an error that led to a goal. He was later shown a red card and misplaced 67 percent of his passes. His performance in the second 4-1 defeat to Los Blancos didn't inspire confidence, either.

In a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, he was man-handled by Fernando Llorente, who scored twice.

When Apoño scored the 95th-minute winner from 12 yards out for Zaragoza, it was Godín's decision to bring down Hélder Postiga with a minute left, which led to Atlético Madrid's dramatic loss.

Passing Ability

David Ramos/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers expects his centre-backs to play out from the back.

If Godín was at Racing de Santander, you could give him the benefit of the doubt, because the team only averaged 39.1 percent possession per game.

However, the Uruguayan is an Atlético Madrid player—a team stacked with technicians—and he was the worst passer on the team by a mile in 2011-12.

Godín didn't trust his passing ability. Therefore, he wasn't capable of launching consistent long passes to Arda Turan, who was always tracking back.

 

League Only	Passing %	Long Passing %
Diego Godín	70.1	56.5
Ashley Williams	85.3	70
Steven Caulker	87.3	72.6
Garry Monk	89.3	75

Sebastián Coates Is a Better Player

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Sebastián Coates is better with the ball at his feet, he's bigger, stronger, younger and more talented than his compatriot Diego Godín.

If Daniel Agger leaves, Coates should be his permanent replacement. Not Godín.

Daniel Agger Situation

The only reason Diego Godín's name has come up is because of the transfer speculation surrounding Daniel Agger's future.

When fully fit, Agger is a world-class centre-back, who is a perceptive reader of the game and can carry the ball into midfield.

That being said, if Manchester City offer £30 million and Adam Johnson for Agger, Liverpool must accept the bid.

Considering Brendan Rodgers' expansive scouting knowledge, he can use the £30 million to sign three elite players.

 

Please read Top 10 Premier League Summer Signings at £10 Million or Under

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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com