1.74 saves/game – Stats show that Liverpool must ditch their £25,000-a-week flop and sign this PL superstar

Share

Liverpool’s incredible Champions League run suffered a heartbreak when a couple of howlers from Loris Karius allowed Real Madrid to beat the Reds 3-1 in the final and secure their third consecutive elite European title under Zinedine Zidane.

Karius, who earns £25,000-a-week, was preferred by Jurgen Klopp between the sticks throughout the competition and eventually replaced Simon Mignolet as club’s No.1 in the league as well. Klopp reportedly shelved the plan of recruiting a new keeper following Karius’ rise but the Champions League heartbreak has forced him to dive into the market in search of a renowned custodian.

The Reds have been extensively linked with a move for AS Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker and are reportedly after Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak as well. But neither of them will come cheap and the high asking fee must have forced the Merseysiders to weigh up other resources too.

However, the ongoing saga of Thibaut Courtois has introduced a new twist to Liverpool’s goalkeeping conundrum. The Chelsea sensation has reportedly rejected several extension offers despite entering the final year of his £120,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge.

 

Thibaut Courtois

The Blues are willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old Belgian international and the Reds, as per reports, are one of his many admirers interested in signing him.

The two-time Premier League champion was acquired seven years back from Genk but a successful loan spell with Atletico Madrid brought him fame. He spent three seasons there and played a massive part in clinching the Rojiblancos’ historic La Liga triumph in 2014.

Courtois flourished in the Premier League on his return to Chelsea and won them the league under Jose Mourinho, where he was handed the No.1 role ahead of veteran Petr Cech.

Courtois will indeed be an upgrade to Karius if Liverpool manage to sign him but a few weaknesses of the 6ft 6in Belgian must be analysed before pursuing a deal. His distribution skill has often been criticised which will probably hinder the Reds’ free-flowing football from the back.

Also, he has struggled at times to deal with grounders but has exhibited excellence from close range, one-on-one and also with his shot-stopping traits.

Karius, on the other hand, pulled off some stunning stops since earning a regular first-team role midway through the season but still needs to work a lot harder to match Courtois, who is adored as one of the finest of goalkeepers in world football. Courtois, at times, is criticised for his underwhelming outings but still holds better numbers than Karius in some departments.

Although he played almost double the number of games than the young German custodian in the league, the Belgian made 1.74 saves per game, slightly better than Karius’ 1.47. The Liverpool keeper had 2 saves per goal whereas Courtois made 2.10, which is again marginally better.

The distribution accuracy is very crucial in Klopp’s football but Karius (72%) failed to match Courtois’ 75% on an average per game.

Chelsea were knocked out from the Champions League round of 16 vs Barcelona but Courtois maintained a better distribution accuracy. Although his distribution stats are not convincing either, its better than the German.

The overall command, reputation and impact between the sticks make the Chelsea star a certain upgrade in Liverpool goal.

Pratyay Maitra

A sports enthusiast and football fanatic.

Recent Posts

The Vital Role of Communication on the Soccer Field: Unlocking Success in Leagues

Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…

1 day ago

The Brilliance of Paul Scholes: A Midfield Maestro’s Illustrious Career

In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…

2 weeks ago

Online games on Football

Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…

3 weeks ago

Using Soccer News to Enhance Your Game Strategy

If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…

4 weeks ago

Interesting Facts About Football: 40 Questions and Answers

I have prepared some interesting and fun football facts for you, perfect for those who love the  thrill of discovery almost as much as the excitement found at https://www.staycasino.com/. Like the  unpredictable nature of casino games, these facts will surprise and intrigue you with unexpected  twists and turns in the world of football. Here is the complete list of 40 interesting and fun facts  about football.  What are the most interesting facts about football?  Football was invented in Italy, Messi is the highest-paid athlete, and the fastest a player has  been sent off is 0 seconds!  Stay ahead with these facts and impress with your knowledge. This collection contains many  football facts that will surprise you. Tell your friends new facts they don't know.  Interesting Facts About Football  Every football fan should know these facts. You can also surprise your children with what they  don't know!  When was football invented?  Modern football originated from the Florentine game of Calcio Fiorentino, played in the 14th …

4 weeks ago

Real Sociedad vs PSG preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Real Sociedad returns to the midst of Europe's elite clubs in the UEFA Champions League…

1 month ago