Matches and well seasons can be won and lost by a club’s goalkeeper.

If you need any proof of that then you just need to look back on Liverpool’s defeat in last season’s Champions League final. Loris Karius‘ howlers practically handed Real Madrid the trophy.

In the summer big clubs moved and spent huge amounts on goalkeepers. Real, Liverpool and Chelsea all spent over £3om on their new goalies. That proves that teams are now understanding how vital that position is.

Liverpool spent around £67m, according to sky sports, on the services of Brazilian number one Alisson.

Statically, The Reds are making 20% more saves now with the former Roma man in between the sticks as they did when manager Jurgen Klopp first took over in 2015. That’s a big reason why the Merseyside giants are now leading the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson always knew the value of a great goalkeeper. He had Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van Der Sar in goal during his most successful spells at Old Trafford.

In 2011, Fergie brought in young Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea. The Spaniard may have taken a wee bit of time to settle in at Old Trafford but after that first year at the club, he’s went on to become the club’s best player.

He’s been named in the Premier League team of the year four times and won the Man United player of the year award three times.

So today, Derby day Man United travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool and it could be down to their respective goalkeepers if they are going to get any points from the encounter.

Alisson produced a wonderful save in the dying moments against Napoli in mid-week and that kept his cleansheet and more importantly it secured the win that saw his side reach the knockout stages. His technique was perfect as he stayed big and alert at a crucial time and his reflexes allowed him to parry the ball away to safety. That one save justified his price tag!

Liverpool have only conceded six times this season in the league and that’s the best defensive record this term.

Now Alisson is helped by the fact that he’s got a terrific back four playing in front of him. Virgil van Dijk in particular has been immense since his signing in January.

On the other hand, United have conceded twenty-six times in the same timeframe and look very weak at the back.

That being said, De Gea has still managed to save them on countless occasion due to his reactions and fine shot-stopping skills. He’s now an assured and consistent performer, if it weren’t for him then Man United would probably be outside the top six and not inside it.

The goalie has been linked with a new £400k a week contract to stay at Old Trafford (Via Talksport) and the Man Utd fans will feel it’s worth every penny as he’s the only player at the back that they can count on at the moment.

This season De Gea has made 54 saves to Alisson’s 36, which probably shows us the difference between the two defences. The Spaniard has also made more high claims (From PremierLeague.com)

Both teams have superb goalkeepers, so maybe it’s going to come down to who has the best attack and who can breakdown the other’s defence and that could mean a home win for Liverpool. But I wouldn’t bet on De Gea having his say with some heroic goalkeeping!

Posted on December 16th, 2018 by scott
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