Liverpool's Number One Problem

Liverpool are currently struggling overall as a team, Liverpool don't even have a starting point to build from, by starting point I mean the first position read out from the team sheet. Simon Mignolet was bought with the idea that he was able to pass the ball out with his feet to start the attack and domination of possession.

 His first competitive game for Liverpool seemed to inspire fans to support him and back him and the transfer strategy of Brendan Rodger's. He saved a penalty in the match against Stoke to give Liverpool a 1- 0 victory, a clean sheet and a penalty save ensured instant success and support. Throughout last season Simon Mignolet's mistakes were just seen as him finding his feet at Liverpool as Pepe Reina who was loaned out to Napoli often made mistakes in his first season before becoming an established leader at the club and arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the premier league.

Mignolet's mistakes were often blamed on the non-closing down from the defenders or some other mistakes that left him in the clear, however a match that sums up his confidence as a whole and his abilities as a footballers was the 3-1 win against Leicester City. In the opening 20 minutes he passed the ball to no body in the centre of the football pitch despite being under no pressure what so ever and it resulted in what should of been a goal from Esteban Cambiasso who seemingly passed the ball just wide of the goal. His next error resulted in an own goal where the ball rebounded off the post and hit him and gave Leicester a one nil lead. Arguably a case of bad luck but the chance moments before nearly resulted in a goal for the Foxes

, Mignolet installs minimal confidence in his team as he leaves many gaps and always looks as if he is scared to command the ball. Almost as if he living in his own little shell on the goal line It may be worth pointing out that as a defence you will never play with major confidence if you don't believe in the man behind you, this may be what people like Glen Johnson and Lovren may be feeling . Paying 9 million for a keeper only for him to become the opposite of what you paid for is the script Rodger's new play Groundhog day.

The secondary keeper Brad Jones hasn't set the world a light during his brief appearances but hes always done a job, hes a lot more consistent for his cameo appearances than Mignolet is over numerous games. Brad Jones has been understudy for a embarrassing amount of time, under Pepe Reina and now Simon Mignolet (He may be wondering what he did bad in a past life to deserve this punishment). Brendan's decision to drop Mignolet for the United match and start Brad Jones was one that I thought shown the rest of the team he wasn't afraid of making big decisions if players aren't pulling their weight. Out of all three goalkeepers mentioned the best of them is no longer playing for the club, he is wasted at Bayern Munich under possibly the best goalkeeper in the world. Its clear Rodger's did not like Pepe, he wanted to implement his own style of keeper in goal and Reina did not fit the bill, however what Pepe gave and what Mignolet lacks is a commanding of the defence, Pepe would be screaming at his defence in synch with the leadership of Agger and Carragher.

Those three players would be the triangle of support in the defence to shoulder off most attacks. Mignolet seems very restrained in his personality and his punching and collecting of the ball needs vast improvements. Skrtel and Lovren dont inspire the team the way the Jamie Carragher's commitment did or how Daniel Agger desire always shown through. Skrtel and Lovren just remind me of two Sunday league defenders who just love to hurt the opposition, yet Skrtel was favoured over Agger despite Agger being a much better player with the ball and Lovren was bought with the intentions I think of being an instigator for the attack from the back by carrying the ball forward, he may do this occasionally but it would help a great deal if he could do any sort of defending first. Liverpool need a major haul in January starting with a new keeper that is proven, not a young keeper destined for the future even a loanee that can help soak up the opposition attack because Brad Jones despite his best efforts is not a top quality long term choice.

Mexico and current Malaga Keeper Guillermo Ochoa sent the biggest hint he is interested in Liverpool by following them on Twitter minutes after Simon Mignolet's postion at number one was thrown into question as it was announced Brad Jones would be starting. His performances at the world cup achieved huge merits and was named Man of the Match in two separate matches.Interpret that last statement whichever way you feel you need to, but I think it demonstrates how technology and social media (possibly even how blogs) have a  statement on where players may end up during transfer windows.