Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Can Do Better Than Guillermo Ochoa

Despite an influx of summer additions in defensive areas, perpetual concerns remain when it comes to Liverpool’s back line. And after a tough start to the season, the Reds defence has been continually hammered for their inability to carry out some basic functions.

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But it’s worth remembering that while full-backs and centre-backs are regularly on the end of stick, the goalkeeper is a vital part of any defensive unit. And after an unconvincing start to the season by Liverpool’s current first choice, Simon Mignolet, the Reds have been linked with a move for Mexico’s World Cup star Guillermo Ochoa as they look to bolster their options in that position.

According to Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, Ochoa is on the brink of leaving Malaga after less than a season with the Spanish outfit, and that could prompt Brendan Rodgers to shell out £4 million for the player’s services. 

Prior to his move to the south of Spain, Ochoa was between the sticks for Ajaccio. Here are some of the saves that saw him cement his place as El Tri’s No. 1 for the 2014 World Cup:

At the Brazil tournament the 29-year-old caught the eye with some wonderful goalkeeping displays. His shot-stopping in particular was eye-catching, as the keeper helped shut out the hosts Brazil in the group stage with a string of magnificent stops. But it’s a dangerous thing to sign a player off the back of a strong World Cup; a warning Liverpool should heed.

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Should Ochoa join up at Anfield, he would almost certainly deputise Mignolet, but does he have the quality to push the Belgian for the No. 1 jersey at Anfield? Does he have the requisite consistency to oust a keeper who is talented but culpable to rudimentary errors? If we’re looking at Ochoa’s club form as well as his World Cup form, the answer is no.

If Liverpool have ambitions geared toward emulating their stunning exploits from the 2013/14 season, Rodgers needs to be upgrading his team piece by piece, and unfortunately, in his Anfield career to date, Mignolet has shown time and time again that he’s of the very top bracket.

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It’s something Reds legend Jamie Carragher spoke about earlier in the season, claiming he wouldn’t be surprised if Rodgers looked for another goalkeeper, per Sky Sports:

"

We can all talk about goalscorers, players who win the league and make a big difference, but goalkeepers make a massive difference and at those big moments you’ve got to make big saves.

Up until now in his Liverpool career he hasn’t made those big saves. If it continues I can see Liverpool looking for another goalkeeper.

There was talk of Victor Valdes because he is a free agent, but he has got to improve.

"

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Murmurings coming out of Anfield seem to suggest that a deal for the former Barcelona stopper is dead in the water, per James Pearce of the Liverpool ECHO, but that’s the calibre of player Liverpool should be looking at. Someone with vast experience, undeniable quality and pretence for pulling out big saves at vital moments.

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Ochoa did that in spurts at the World Cup and indeed for Ajaccio, but throughout his career he’s a keeper who's never quite made it to the very top level, as if something inherent in his game is holding him back. His shot-stopping ability is beyond doubt, though, as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com:

Clearly he can produce bursts of quality, but from time to time he’s shown himself to be erratic and unconvincing when it comes to patrolling his area; qualities that the Reds cannot afford to transcend to their already ropey back four.

The Mexican was drafted in at Malaga to replace the outgoing Willy Caballero, but he’s yet to make an appearance for Javi Garcia’s team. With that in mind, if he's failed to grasp his opportunity and been subsequently shunted out by the Los Boquerones hierarchy, to pick up and move to Anfield would represent a massive slice of fortune for Ochoa.

Every top side—something that the Reds must aspire toward being—needs a top goalkeeper, and at this juncture the Anfield outfit need one immediately; unfortunately for Ochoa, he simply isn’t the answer.