It’s a shame but it looks as if Fabio Aurelio’s time at Liverpool is coming to an end. Rumours of a move to Olympiakos in recent days and the fact that time is running out fast on his contract, seem to suggest that the Brazilian full back will be out of the door in the summer. He will be most fondly remembered for his fantastic free kick against Manchester United last season, but his injury record has meant he has made far less appearances for the club than he should have done. This season he has managed only 13 starts and 10 sub appearances as his season has been plagued by injuries. He started off the season on the sidelines after injuring his knee bizarrely when playing football on the beach with his family back in Brazil. His most recent injury came back in February against Blackburn Rovers, damaging his thigh, but although he is expected to return to action next week, his time in England maybe coming to a close. Since joining Liverpool in 2006, Aurelio has been troubled with constant niggles and injury problems, and his best season was last campaign when he managed 27 appearances, but this season has been far more troublesome.
So if Aurelio does leave the club in the summer, who should be his replacement? One of the most heavily rumoured players is Lazio full back Aleksandar Kolarov. Very similar in style to Aurelio, Kolarov has been dubbed the “Serbian Roberto Carlos” due to his expert free kick abilities and long range strike expertise. Bought for €800,000 from OFK Beograd in 2007, Kolarov has established himself as first choice left back in the last two campaigns. Due to his similar characteristics and same nationality, Kolarov has been compared to former Lazio star Sinisa Mihajlovic and he exchanged his number 3 jersey for the number 11 one of Mihajlovic at the start of this season.
After arriving from Beograd, Kolarov quickly became known for his rocket of a left foot, firing an unstoppable shot against Reggina in 2007, a goal which was his first for the club. It would be talent that Kolarov would repeat many times in the coming years, most notably against Lecce last season and an amazing goal in the Rome derby against Roma in a 4-2 win (shown below). He ran almost the length of the pitch, after receiving the ball from his goalkeeper, and slotted past Roma keeper Doni with his right foot. It is the sort of goal that typifies Kolarov’s style of play. As adept at playing left wing as he is left back, he loves to make forward runs from the left hand side, his pace getting him past opposition defenders before delivering pin point accurate crosses or attempting a go on goal himself with his rifle of a left foot.
It is safe to say that Kolarov is extremely strong as an attacking full back, and the Serbian international has been linked with various clubs, including Liverpool, over the past months as Lazio continue their struggles in Serie A. Kolarov said about the interest being shown in him:
“I open the newspapers on a daily basis and find that different clubs are interested in me, The interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter cannot but flatter me. However, up until now there has never been anything concrete.”
No doubt, Kolarov would be an exciting player to watch, and with Glen Johnson on the opposite flank it would be an extremely attack minded team if Rafa Benitez was to attempt to buy the 24 year old with the transfer funds at his disposal.
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I just want Warnock back and trust me if Rafa goes out there will be a huge chance of it too happen.
Warnock is crap… he’s 29 this year and still looks unassured for someone his age… why people always harp on about him is beyond me… he wasn’t good enough for us back then and he’s not good enough now… I’d still take Insua over him…
Kolarov is a fantastic player who would be up for the premier league physicality… hope we get him or Vargas… not too many great left backs who would be available this summer… wish we unearth the next Riise though….
Aly Cissokha at Lyon is a good young left back. Dont know whether he would be available but he’s a good young player.
Most Villa fans i speak to don’t even think Warnock is good enough for them.
If we have funds i’d like us to go for Filipe ((Deportivo) or Kolarov. Both are excellent left backs who are at a good age and would give us excellent width on the left. Though Filipe’s horific injury would probably rule him out as a possibility this summer.
If we don’t have investment i’d go for someone like Capdevila or Jankulovski who would be quite cheap but could still do a job in the short term. I think Jankulovski’s even available on a free. I know he’s getting on but he could still replace Aurelio if we have little to spend.
I don’t think i’d go for Juan Manuel Vargas if we’re going to spend a decent amount on a left back (and he would cost quite a bit). The guy is really a left wing back at best and perhaps even more effective as a left winger. With Johnson on the right we at least need a left back who can handle themselves defensively.
Cissokho of Lyon is the best young attacking fullback available. He will become a star in the future.Just like Evra. We have to get him before anyone else does coz he’s value will increase if he plays well during the world cup.
No more Aurelio type please !!! come cheap in his 30’s and frequently visiting the surgeon week in week out
For me the best option out there are:
1. Kolarov — Have the physical ability and stunning left foot
2. Taiwo — Strong full back with powerful left foot
3. Hazard — Fast & skillful, great vision can play in either flank
4. Vargas — won’t come cheap but have a great crossing ability
Keep in mind that for next season Insua should be a squad players instead first team players, much more to learn before claiming the starting eleven lads
Before they worry about left backs they should consider a world class striker to back up Torres.
Aurelio was great at Valencia in his first 2 seasons (in his 2nd he scored 10 goals from left back), but after sustaining a bad injury he’s always been prone to them – a bit like Fowler after his first bad injury he never really recovered. When Aurelio has a few games in a row for us he shows he’s a very good player – the problem is that he’s bound to get injured soon, and it’s a shame as he could have become a great LB for us if it wasn’t for the constant injuries.
And he’s 30 now!!! So he came when he was 25/26!!! AND Hazard is not a left back!!!
Fabio was great for Liverpool, really good signing.
Taiwo from Marseille should be his replacment.
And for those who think Warnock should return, just see cup game Villa-United, look what Valencia did to him and Insua will start to look clasy player.
Last thing Liverpool needs is a player afreid of Valencia and Nani!