Illan Meslier is one of the main reasons Leeds United are the only away team to leave Anfield with the three points in the Premier League this season.
Back in October, the Frenchman made a number of outstanding saves to keep Liverpool at bay before Crysencio Summerville poked home the dramatic winner at the other end of the pitch.
His performance that night appeared to be confirmation that Illan Meslier was getting back to his best. Like so many, last season was incredibly difficult for the 23-year-old. But he had been superb for much of the opening months of this campaign.
Obviously, it is now Liverpool who lie ahead for Javi Gracia’s side. And it is something of an understatement to say that Leeds do not go into the game off the back of the best result.
The less said about Sunday, the better. What looked set to be a reasonably comfortable win – by Leeds’ standards, of course – ultimately became a nightmare.
Javi Gracia may do Illan Meslier a favour by leaving him out against Liverpool
Gracia is not able to make wholesale changes. Those who were outstanding in the first-half completely capitulated after the break. And Leeds were on the receiving end of a thrashing.
But there are a couple of players who cannot have many complaints if they do not start against Liverpool on Monday. And one of those is surely now Meslier.
Meslier is an outstanding talent. He is going to play for one of the powerhouses of international football one day. And he is probably going to move on for a huge profit in the future, too.
But he has arguably not been good enough for a little while.
He was not at fault for all of Crystal Palace’s goals. But he surely should have done considerably better for Marc Guehi’s crucial equaliser, barely getting near the ball before the centre-back prodded it home.
He was not commanding when crosses came into the box. And he arguably should have done more for a couple of the other goals.
And there are some alarming numbers to back up that Meslier has not been at the standard required of late.
FBRef lists Meslier as the second-worst goalkeeper in the Premier League when it comes to his performance against his expected goals against number. Meslier has conceded nine goals more than expected. Himself and Gavin Bazunu are some distance away from anyone else.
Meanwhile, no-one has completed a smaller percentage of passes of 40 yards or more. Meslier has completed just 22.4 percent of those, while no-one else has completed less than 27 percent.
In both areas, Meslier cannot take the full blame. Leeds’ defence has remained a problem for much of this campaign.
But neither number reflects well on the youngster at all.
It would be a huge gamble to bring Joel Robles in to face Liverpool. The Spaniard has not played a lot since joining the club in the summer.
But Sam Johnstone showed on Sunday what can happen when a number two comes in and has a point to prove. And Joel is a decent goalkeeper with plenty of experience.
Monday is not a free hit by any means. Liverpool showed in their own game on Sunday what they remain capable of. But this is the kind of occasion Leeds should look to turn into a famous Elland Road night.
So it would be a real risk to make a change in goal.
But with Meslier’s form a serious concern, there is now a debate to be had over his position. And there is the possibility that taking him out of the side for the time-being may see Gracia actually doing Meslier a bit of a favour.
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