Stoke stopper among 3 viable Mignolet replacements at Liverpool

Playing for a team which is underperforming in all areas of the pitch, Simon Mignolet’s conspicuousness should be more of a concern to the cocksure Liverpool goalkeeper.

Ahead of another massive test of Liverpool’s and Mignolet’s resolve at Basel in the Champions League – a match the Reds look way too skinny at 11/10 to win – the much-maligned stopper has insisted he is unperturbed by the mounting pressure on his performances.

“If I have to look into all the people and players who are linked with Liverpool, then there will be another team on the pitch,” said Mignolet.

These comments were offered in direct response to the ongoing speculation about free-agent Victor Valdes’ proposed Anfield switch, though Liverpool will only proceed if the former Barcelona keeper can prove his fitness after a long absence due to knee surgery.

If 32-year-old Valdes cannot, here are three keepers from across the continent Brendan Rodgers may wish to turn to in January:

Asmir Begovic – Stoke

The Potters’ net minder has often attracted interest from the Premier League’s top brass and having made another fine start to the campaign, which includes a clean sheet at the Etihad, he could yet secure a big move.

Vincent Enyeama – Lille

A stand-out performer for Nigeria at the World Cup, Enyeama has been busy cementing his growing reputation by shutting out the opposition no fewer than six times for Lille already in 2014/15.

Ron-Robert Zieler – Hannover

A former Manchester United trainee, the double forenamed and three-capped German is still only 25 but is carving a career to stardom in the Bundesliga. Zieler tops Squawka’s Bundesliga stats for his impressive string of performances for Hannover this season.

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