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10 World Cup Left Backs for Liverpool to look at

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Carlos Salcido – Terrific attacking left back play against the French last week. Now 30, he is an experienced player who could really make the difference for any side. If he continues to do well though, his club PSV Eindhoven will no doubt up their asking price significantly.

Gabriel Heinze – Former Manchester United player, Heinze was a target of Rafa Benitez before United refused to sell and sold him to Real Madrid instead. Getting on a bit now but was an important part of Marseille’s title winning team last week. Great header against Nigeria to win their first group match 1-0. Another Experienced player for perhaps Insua to learn from.

Fabio Coentrao – Superb for Portugal against an admittedly poor North Korea team today and ontributed greatly to the 7-0 thrashing. Formally a left winger, he has been converted by Benfica manager Jorge Jesus into a left back, and has excelled in the position. Most probably out of Liverpool’s price range though.

Aleksandar Kolarov – Another great attacking left back, Kolarov is probably slightly weaker defensively, but he has a great cross and is an expert free kick taker. Came closest to scoring a free-kick during this tournament, curling a shot just wide against Ghana. Young, and wanting away from struggling Lazio, Kolarov could be worth the asking price demanded for him.

Nadir Belhadj – The Portsmouth left back is a willing runner and is another left back who loves going forward. Certainly question marks defensively but the Algerian international does have Premier League experience with Portsmouth and could be available cheaply from the struggling South coast club.

Reto Ziegler – Very impressive playing at left back in a tight Swiss backline which has only conceded one goal in two World Cups. A young prodigy, Ziegler’s time at Tottenham went sour after a good start and he has found himself again at Sampdoria where he is reverted from the left wing to left back.

Maynor Figueroa – Solid and dependable at left back for Wigan, Figueroa is a strong runner going forward and has strength in abundance to outmuscle lightweight opposition wingers. A cheaper option who could be available for £6million if he wants to leave the DW Stadium.

Joan Capdevila – Another experienced left back, Capdevila is first choice for Spain. Considering Villarreal’s current financial issues he could be available very cheaply, and if Manuel Pellegrini was chosen as manager, he could well have been his first signing.

Taye Taiwo – A highly praised member of Marseille’s league winning team, Taiwo has been disappointing in his first two group matches and was injured against Greece. He is still a young player but his asking price would be too high for a player who might not cut it in the Premier League.

Claude Morel – Another older left back, Morel plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina, but he has impressed, along with the rest of the Paraguayan backline in their first two group matches. Prospective managerial candidate Roy Hodgson praised Paraguay’s defensive displays as pundit on the BBC today.

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Football FanCast writer Oscar Pye-Jeary documents his time in South Africa following England in the 2010 World Cup. (England v Algeria).

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