Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers looks set to accept he needs to buy a new goalkeeper after finally losing patience with Simon Mignolet and dropping the Belgian stopper from the first team. Following a dismal run of form this season, Mignolet found himself out of the side in favour of long-time back-up Brad Jones for the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, with Rodgers coming out after the game and admitting the Belgium international wouldn't be making an immediate return to the team.
After spending his entire Liverpool career as a back-up to the number-one, Brad Jones hasn't ever really done enough when he has played to convince his manager that he is deserving of an extended run in the team. While Jones couldn't be blamed directly for any of the three goals he conceded against Manchester United, the Australian didn't exactly cover himself in glory and Rodgers now appears ready to sign cover in January in order to solve the goalkeeping problem once and for all. Mignolet's form has been a factor behind the club's dismal start to the season, with the majority of those interested in the soccer betting already ruling Liverpool out of top-four contention this season.
If Rodgers doesn't feel he is able to rely on him, one potential new signing could be Guillermo Ochoa. The Mexico goalkeeper was one of the stars of last summer's World Cup, coming out of the tournament linked with a host of clubs throughout out Europe. But after a number of transfers failed to materialise, Ochoa made the move from French club Ajaccio to La Liga side Malaga. Things haven't worked out for Ochoa in Spain, however, with manager Javi Garcia opting for Carlos Kameni as his number-one meaning the Mexico stopper has been forced to accept a role on the bench.
While Ochoa would be available at around £3 million, Liverpool are also keeping an eye on the situation regarding Petr Cech at Chelsea. The long-time number-one at Stamford Bridge has found himself restricted to a role on the bench for the majority of this season due to the presence of Thibaut Courtois, and there has been talk that Jose Mourinho would be open to allowing Cech to leave on loan in January. The Czech Republic star has claimed he is in no rush to leave but the opportunity of playing first team football at another big Premier League club could be too tempting for Cech to refuse.
Another possible outcome could be that Rodgers continues to keep Mignolet away from the spotlight for long enough that he can rediscover his best form and salvage his Liverpool career. The issue with that plan is whether or not Rodgers feels he can trust Jones in the meantime. Signing either Ochoa or Cech would give the Liverpool manager chance to give Mignolet an extended spell out of the team while an experienced and proven goalkeeper replaced him for the remainder of this season. Following that, it would be down to Mignolet to prove he is capable of proving his doubters wrong and show he is a top-class keeper.
