Liverpool are in advanced talks for AS Roma goalkeeper Alexandre Doni. Il Messagero says the Brazilian keeper has already agreed terms and is hoping to finalise a move in the next few days. The two clubs are now agreeing a fee for the experienced keeper with Roma looking for at least £1.5m for the 31-year-old. The move looked in doubt earlier in the week after Doni turned down the club's first offer saying his salary would have been cut by 60 per cent, but the two parties appear to have reached a compromise.
I still don't see why we need a backup keeper when we have 2-3 capable academy/reserve keepers. Gulacsi looks a good prospect and I believe he's going on loan, but the others like Belford and Hansen could easily be given the responsibility. Reina has barely missed a match anyway, and it's obvious he's in peak physical condition so is there really a need to pay £1.5m + heavy wages for a backup keeper when I doubt he'll ever be used throughout his contract?
ZL You're probably right about him not playing much but there is always a chance Pepe could get a serious/ medium term injury. I haven't seen much of the reserve keepers, is the back-up good enough?
Well, they're better than Brad Jones that's for sure. Probably not as good as Doni, as he's an experienced keeper but for the amount of games we're talking about they'd be fine. If we could put in a clause that Gulacsi can be recalled from loan aswell then we'd be set for keepers.
It's still another person on the wage bill when they wouldn't need to be. I don't like us paying wages for people we'll probably never see play - Jovanovic, Poulson, Konchesky etc.. all being paid to stand around, turn up to training and watch the Liverpool match on TV.
I understand that but I've said before, youngsters should get breaks as cover, not have the responsibility thrust on them. Being thrown in didn't do Ngog and Insua any favours with the fans, whereas Flanagan and Robinson had nothing to lose because there was no expectation on them. A keeper can't hide or be carried so it's even more important we have a backup who can handle a big game in an emergency.
Having a good back-up goalkeeper is crucial. I know that Pepe Reina hasn't been injured for a long time but you can't take that for granted. If we can get some deadwood out, I don't mind having Doni coming in to Liverpool FC.
Even if Reina was to leave surely Donni is nowhere near as good as him? Reina is probably the best keeper in the Premiership at the moment.
I think Reina is too. I do rate Doni, which is why I wouldnt have him. It will create a problem of who to keep happy, rather than competition benefits.
I just don't get it, it doesn't fit with our policy of buying young, his knees are as knackered as mine, it sounds like money is all important, he's not going to get any games. Who goes from Number 1 in a Serie A team to bench warmer at 31? It all smells a bit fishy to me. You get a good young keeper, who you sell on for 1st team action after a couple of years for a profit. I don't like this at all. Who at that age takes a job where they don't get the chance to do what you do? No sir, I don't like it, not one little bit.
It's no coincidence we were also linked to Friedel, obviously looking for experience here. For a start its a good way to bring an experienced international into the squad without upsetting anyone (keepers are much more comfortable being 2nd choice than other positions). Also he's seen quite a few seasons with Roma finishing 2nd (and also winning the Cup) so he's used to the pressures of being near the top of the table (something we will hopefully require the benefits of!). Secondly competition is important. Even the great Pepe Reina needs to be kept on his toes, and fair enough he's first choice, but Doni will be much more of a threat than someone like Gulacsi, who wouldn't have the presence to actually push for the first team. Being a 'back-up' is a bit like a 'he who must not be named' type thing- everyone knows they're a back-up but the image of no one being guaranteed a place needs to be maintained. Goalkeeper is a hugely important position, and bringing one through the youth ranks is notoriously difficult. How many of the top clubs in the country have had a quality goalkeeper they have brought through their own youth system in the last decade? Joe Hart is one of the few (if only) examples, and how did he get to this stage? By going out on loan, which is what we have done to Gulacsi. Only way we will make a profit or have a top player on our hands is if he develops by playing games, and there won't be enough sitting on our bench and waiting for the rarely-injured Reina to step aside. Then if you're planning on having Gulacsi as 2nd choice at some point you probably don't want to invest the £5mil it would take to bring in a ~25yr old keeper, so why not spend £1.5mil on someone who can fill the role for 2 season while Gulacsi develops, and then who will happily leave for one last shot at being 1st choice somewhere at no great financial loss (might even get more than half of what we paid for him if he goes before 35). We consistently do this with our 2nd choice keepers and it means when a youth player is ready to step up they can, and in the meantime Pepe has a conveyor of competitors to keep things fresh. Also Doni started 13 games this year, he knows he's back-up, and knows his dodgy knee couldn't probably take a full season in the Premier League. Can't blame him for not wanting to take a 60% pay-cut, that's a huge amount, but sounds like Roma are compensating him to push the deal through and seems like he's keen. That's how I see this transfer anyway.
Great post. I agree. You don't want a backup who expects a shot at the starting position, you want a back up who is willing to come in at crucial moments if needed (God forbid an injury, or a red card to Reina), and Doni seems the type to do so. Friedel I expect wants to start, or at least have the chance to start, as he seems the type to do so, so I'm not too upset he didn't come (though I would love to see an American finally play for LFC, even if as a back up goalie...). At Tottenham, he seems to have a chance to steal no. 1 as I never rated Gomes, and Cudicini still hasn't made much of an impact... But back to my original point, I do believe this is the one position and transfer we are looking at experience vs. youth. Much better to have an experienced back up keep than one who has never or rarely played in a big game. Even if the youngster is good, pressure can be a mighty obstacle to overcome for any youngster.
