Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Shay Given Would Be Solid Cover for Simon Mignolet

Things are looking up for Liverpool. The team has won its first three Premier League games—defeating Manchester United 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday—and still more reinforcements are on the way, according to The Guardian.

Oh yeah, and that Luis Suarez guy can return to action soon. 

It's surely enough to have any Liverpool supporter a bit giddy and optimistic about even the potential of otherwise boring signings, like the possibility of adding Shay Given to the club as the No. 2 keeper behind Simon Mignolet.

According to Ben Smith of BBC Sport, "A deal to take keeper Shay Given on a one-year loan from Aston Villa as back-up to Simon Mignolet is, however, likely to go to the wire on deadline day."

Dominic King of the Daily Mail adds, "Given had been linked with a move to Doncaster earlier this summer but that switch failed to materialise and he has remained at Aston Villa, even though he has been told by Paul Lambert he has no future at the club."

Finally, David Anderson of the Mirror notes, "The 37-year-old has three years left on his £60,000-a-week deal, and Villa are keen to get him off their wage bill."

Given isn't exactly going to move the needle, but with Pepe Raina on loan at Napoli, his addition would provide nice cover for Mignolet (who has been quite good thus far for the Reds, for what it's worth). You can never have enough depth. 

Just ask an Arsenal supporter. 

All in all, Liverpool has to be quite happy with their transfer window as the final flurry of action on deadline day is underway. The team managed to keep Suarez away from Arsenal and brought in solid players to strengthen the side, while January additions Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho have been revelations. 

At this point, given Brendan Rodgers' additions and the play of Sturridge, you could argue that the Reds might even be better off without Suarez. He is a fantastic finisher, but can slow the flow of the offense because he sucks up the ball when it comes to him. 

Thus far, Liverpool have played a flowing, unselfish brand of football. Obviously, Suarez adds that last bit of class as a finisher that is so hard to replace, but if nothing else Liverpool have proven they can stay above water without him this season. 

It's probably a bit lofty to call Liverpool title contenders, but the club has the look of a team that will be in the top-four hunt all season long. From the bigger signings to the potential of smaller moves like adding Given, it's been a successful summer and early campaign for the Reds.