Liverpool: Mignolet move gives Rodgers a tough call

Simon Mignolet has completed his move to Liverpool

Liverpool are making all the early moves but this latest one could spell time for Pepe Reina writes Christian Crowther...

Liverpool announced their fourth signing of the summer yesterday as Belgian international Simon Mignolet completed his 10,000,000 move from Sunderland.

Brendan Rodgers is clearly wasting no time in adding to his squad as Mignolet joins Kolo Toure and Spaniards Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto as Anfield's newest additions. 

At 25, the former Sunderland stopper clearly fits Rodgers' preference of buying players with bright futures over those at the peak of their powers, following on from the January additions of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.

The swift business being done by Liverpool compared with other Premier League clubs shows real intent from Rodgers that he is trying to mould a team capable of challenging the top four this season, after falling considerably short in the last campaign.

Liverpool's price for a top four finish is currently at 3.814/5, but the Merseysiders cannot afford such a terrible start to the season as they did in 2012/13 - recording just one win in their first seven games - if they are to keep pace with their rivals.

While stiff competition for places is imperative to this quest, Mignolet's arrival leaves obvious question marks over the future of Pepe Reina.

At 30-years-old Liverpool's long-standing stopper is far from finished at the top level and has never had his number one position threatened in eight years at the club.

It's difficult to imagine an international of his stature settling for a seat on the bench either. 

Reina had been linked with a return to Barcelona, however that transfer trail has since gone cold, following Victor Valdes' decision to remain at the Camp Nou for another season.

Potentially, this means Rodgers is left with a straight judgement call on who he wishes to install between the sticks for the start of their league campaign.

With no European football at Anfield to supplement appearances for a second string stopper this season, that could equal one miffed goalkeeper made to settle for Capital One Cup games.

Finding Reina another destination and recouping some of Mignolet's 10m fee could well be the best option.