Is Liverpool the right move for Mihaylov?

Rafa is going goalkeeping crazy. First it was young Aussie Dean Bouzanis, then he reeled back Scott Carson and now he forks out the dosh for Nikolay Mihaylov?

I have mixed thoughts about it. First, who is Mihaylov? An U-21 Bulgarian International who copped 5 goals against Scotland in the Kirin Cup (Japan) and who has plyed his trade for Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia.

It sounds that the young guy has promise, maybe…but I’m still concerned. These young goalkeepers will get some of the best development they will experience anywhere on the planet while at Liverpool, and it will make them better goalkeepers in the long run…possibly.

With so much competition, in such a competitive club like Liverpool, do you pigeonhole your career potential? I remember playing for Sydney United in the old NSL (Australia), waiting my turn under guys like Zeljko Kalac. I was 15 years of age playing for the reserve team…there were 3 other senior goalkeepers above me…it was a tough gig.

Now it was not that I had not learned anything, I uncovered much of my potential over my three year tenure. But did I become a better goalkeeper? I only ever played a handful of games, and in the grand scheme of things I did not feel I had reached my full potential. Full potential takes time.

You see for a goalkeeper, lots of training…but no game time, does not equate to overall performance potential. Being loaned out would be the best option (like Carson), and I guess that Rafa will do the same for all of these young lads at Liverpool.

I hope that these young goalkeepers get the chance to prove their worth. With time, I’m certain they will. But the life of a competitive goalkeeper can be long-drawn and it takes many, many years for any goalkeeper to reach their potential. For any young goalkeeper thinking about the big leagues, the best advice I can give is that goalkeeping is a waiting game…and then some.

If Mihaylov, Bouzanis and Carson have patience and a steely reserve they will reach their full potential at Liverpool under Benitez or at another club. What do you guys think?

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1. June 28, 2007Harry Trow

   All the technical training in the world is useless without the arena to practise those techniques in.
   That arena is a full blown competitive game and keepers no matter what level they are at need that pressure, Need to be accountable, but also need to develop without being mauled due to poor defences in front of them.
   Fortunately for Carson he was able to make good shot stopping saves while out on loan at a really bad Charlton team and defence, which probably concealed some of the shortcomings of his game to the fans, but waht about the coaches?
   In my opinion Carsons game is weak if the team are playing a high line. How do you address this ‘flaw’ if he’s playing week in week out in a team that plays deep? Liverpool are not in a position to demand that Charlton play similarly to themselves or ask Charlton to spend all week on the training ground practising with a high defensive line, so little development or chance for Carson to improve in those areas and makes him less adjusted to return to Liverpool and slot in to liverpools style of football.

2. June 28, 2007Brian

   Bouzanis won’t join the club until next year, when he’ll become age eligible. I don’t know the specifics, that’s just how it is. He’s out ‘on loan’ to Sydney FC in the meantime. Rafa seems pretty confident that he’ll be the successor to Pepe.

   Carson will more than likely be our number two on the first team and will play in domestic cup ties and when needed. He’s a definite improvement over Dudek, who was just embarrassing at times last year. I’m not sure what his contract situation is, but I doubt he’ll be around after next season.

   I have no clue why we signed Mihaylov. We already have David Martin as the number one for the reserves and Martin Hansen who is the youth team starter and the number two for the reserves. Both are very good keepers. I understand creating a competitive atmosphere but it could come back to hurt us if players leave disgruntled and spread this sentiment to potential incoming players.

3. June 29, 2007John
   Bothe great responses. Although I would tend to think Harry that it is all about adaptation for a goalkeeper.

   For any young goalkeeper, especially coming into a very large club, you can’t really dictate how you want to play with management and your team mates. They get paid to play how the gaf wants them to play.

   Brian, spot on. I think that bringing in many young goalkeepers can be detrimental for their development. On the flipside it can also show how well a goalkeeper can adapt to competitive pressure.