Is Victor Valdes the Answer?

Media reports over the last 48 hours have suggested that the former Barcelona keeper has emerged as a serious target for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. The 32 year old is currently recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury sustained back in March against Celta Vigo, an injury that has prevented the Spanish international from completing a move to Monaco in July, this means that Liverpool are in no rush to complete a deal for the shot-stopper as he can sign outside the transfer window.

A move for Valdes will be entirely dependent on him proving his fitness and given his current injury that will be no full-gone conclusion. But should he do so what exactly can he offer Liverpool?

Leadership

Despite an early career where he was seen as something of a weak link by opponents and fans alike the Catalan has proven himself as a key leader during the greatest period of success in the history of Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.

It wasn't Valdes's job to just build from the back he also worked in coordination with club captain Carlos Puyol in controlling the exceptionally high defensive line held under Guardiola. Holding such a high line allowed Barcelona to aggressively press the opposition into conceding possession in the off chance that they lost the ball in the first place. 

His organisation from corners was also highly important for Barcelona due to the small stature of the players around him. His ability to pull players into their correct zones was paramount to Barcelona conceding so little from set plays during the Guardiola era.

Liverpool are attempting to transition into playing a higher defensive line under Rodgers and the presence of a leader like Valdes would certainly help create a smoother transition. His organisation at corners will also be welcome given that has been something of an achilles heel in recent years for the Reds.

More Than A Keeper

Football has evolved so much over the last 25 years that even goalkeepers are now expected to take an active part in the attacking front. Building from the back has become a key component of most top sides in recent years and with that has come more demands on goalkeepers to not just be good shot stoppers but also good footballers. 

Those characteristics are something Brendan Rodgers looks for, emphasised by his comments on Michel Vorm after he completed his move to Swansea in 2011;

"For how we play, we like to build the game from behind, it is vital that the goalkeeper is comfortable with his feet…he is a player that not only does that but he controls the game well from behind and will help us construct the game from the back. He is very quick and very agile so he is similar to Victor Valdes at Barcelona.”

It's appropriate then that Rodgers considered Valdes as the blueprint of the type of goalkeeper he likes. 

Assuming he fully recovers from his injury the Catalan's ability to cover ground quickly will be imperative to installing the necessary confidence in Liverpool's back four to allow them to consistently hold a high defensive line. 

Furthermore his ability to distribute from the back will be in line with Rodgers' philosophical approach. The ability to utilise his leadership qualities and pull defenders into angles in which he can accurately serve them the ball, even when under intense pressure, will be vital to Liverpool as they come across more teams who attempt a counter press against them. 

Liverpool fans are no strangers to such a goalkeeper between the sticks having witnessed Pepe Reina for so many years, and no doubt supporters would question the decision to allow the stopper to leave if Rodgers' was unconvinced by Belgian Simon Mignolet's ability to improve his technical game.

The harsh reality with Reina was that over the last 4 years his ability to make routine saves was in decline and Liverpool couldn't afford to have a keeper that could cost them more points than he'd win, hence the signing of one of the leagues top shot stoppers in Mignolet.

The Belgian made a positive impact during the 2013/14 season despite having little protection in front of him however there is a growing concern that in Liverpool's continual evolution under Rodgers, Mignolet is simply being left behind. 

Should Valdes return to his former level he will provide the perfect compromise for Rodgers; his goalkeeping level before injury wasn't far off Reina during his peak years whilst his ability on the ball is better than that of Mignolet.

With the window coming to a close and potential alternatives not forthcoming the signing of Valdes on a costless transfer could be a shrewd move by Rodgers as he attempts to sure up his defence.

Valdes In Statistics

Statistics via Squawka