Premier League GK's Half Time Report - Part 3
The third and penultimate segment of our mid-season Premier League report.
Liverpool - Alisson; B-
Unfortunately for Alisson his horror show in the defeat to Manchester City, in which stray passes led to two City goals, did not come after our report on the Liverpool ‘keeper, but we have tried not to let the uncharacteristic mistakes cloud our judgement too much.
Liverpool have made a pitiful attempt at retaining their long-awaited Premier League crown, but despite the well-noted injury issues in their backline, Jurgen Klopp’s issues have been with the impotency of his forwards, scoring just once in their last four games.
Alisson has been one of Liverpool’s better performers this season and their defensive record has been pretty steady other than their 7-2 defeat to Villa back in October, for which the Brazilian was absent.
Manchester City - Ederson; A
Ederson has been in the headlines this week for a very different reason than last week’s opposite number, as Pep Guardiola is considering Ederson as a first choice penalty taker with their problems converting from the spot this season.
However outlandish this may seem, the way the Brazilian has performed this year with his hands and with his feet, you wonder if the notion of the goalkeeper taking on outfield duties is as ridiculous as it seems.
City have rectified their long-standing defensive issues this season and have been able to grind out 1-0 wins in tight matches , keeping thirteen clean sheets and boasting the best defensive record in the league.
Although we have seen Ederson’s qualities as a ‘sweeper-keeper’ in recent years he is arguably the best in the league right now based on current form.
Manchester United - David De Gea; C
David De Gea is in his tenth season as Manchester United’s number one and whilst he has performed magnificently at times and was once one of the world’s best, De Gea has had his share of poor moments at Old Trafford which have reared their head again this season.
The return of Dean Henderson to the United first team setup was due to put pressure on De Gea for the gloves, but Solskjaer has admiringly, or perhaps blindly, stood by his goalkeeper.
De Gea faced criticism at times last season before United’s fantastic run that propelled them into the Champions League and has made some high profile errors including recent home games against Everton and Sheffield United that cost them dear.
Newcastle United - Karl Darlow; B+
Karl Darlow would not have expected to be the first choice at St James’ Park this season but an injury to Martin Dubravka at the start of the campaign has opened the door for the former Forest goalkeeper.
Darlow has not only held down the fort, but also kept his teammate out of the side upon his return from injury, which is an achievement in itself when you consider Dubravka’s almost untouchable status in the side before his nasty heel bone problem.