Why Missing Out on Michel Vorm Has Hurt Simon Mignolet and Liverpool

During this summer’s transfer window, it looked like several clubs were after the services of Michel Vorm, who played for Swansea City. One of the clubs the Dutch goalkeeper was linked to was Liverpool.

In the end, Tottenham Hotspur signed Vorm, much to the surprise of those who can’t see the Dutchman beating Hugo Lloris to become the London-based club’s first-choice man between the sticks.

Before his move to Spurs went through, though, it looked like Vorm would be off to Liverpool, who were after a new second goalkeeper to provide Simon Mignolet with some competition and backup.

Back at Swansea, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers—who was then manager at the Welsh club—had been the one to swoop up Vorm from Dutch side FC Utrecht, so in a lot of ways, the move would have made sense.

Ultimately, though, it didn't happen, and although it’s impossible to know what went on behind the scenes this summer, it’s fair to say Liverpool might now be kicking themselves for not being more decisive in their pursuit of Vorm.

According to some critics, Simon Mignolet—as of today still the man protecting Liverpool’s net—has seen his form dip this season, and with a goalkeeper such as Vorm in their squad, the situation could have been different.

Primarily, the presence of Vorm would have allowed Rodgers to simply swap like for like by putting the Dutchman in goal. Bye-bye, Mignolet, the chorus would have gone, and if Vorm had performed well, the problem would have been solved.

But with Vorm in their midst, Liverpool might not have ended up in this situation in the first place.

Feeling the breath of Vorm down his neck, Mignolet would have undoubtedly felt spurred on, and maybe his dip in form would have never occurred. At the very least, the Dutch goalkeeper’s presence would have given Mignolet that tiny bit of extra motivation.

What’s more, it should be remembered that goalkeeping is a lonely profession. 

Except for two men, a goalkeeper doesn’t have many direct friends in the squad. While the attackers and the midfielders are practicing their shooting and passing skills and the defenders are perfecting their tackles, first goalkeepers spend all their time with the second and third goalkeepers, jumping around and gliding through the mud.

A squad’s goalkeepers are usually a tight-knit bunch. At Liverpool, Vorm and Mignolet would have been each other’s closest and most important colleagues. Undoubtedly, that fact alone would have made both goalkeepers better.

At Tottenham Hotspur, Lloris might now be profiting from Vorm’s mere presence. With Mignolet’s current dip in form, that means Liverpool missed a real opportunity during this summer’s transfer window.

"

Official team photo #selfie @E_Adebayor #coys pic.twitter.com/7xpkXJQ2DF

— Michel Vorm (@Vorm_Official) September 15, 2014"

Good goalkeepers make good goalkeepers better. That’s why missing out on Vorm might have hurt Mignolet and Liverpool.