As the season is coming close to its conclusion I thought I would look at where Brendan should be looking at strengthening the squad. One of the areas that needs improving is a quality left back. We have struggled for a number of years to find the correct balance in that position. Jose Enrique has done a solid job since he joined us however questions over his overall fitness remain and highlights that we need competition in that area.
Sadly Aly Cissokho’s loan spell has shown that he not capable of cutting it in the Premier League. He is too cumbersome and lacks the positional sense to be a success at Liverpool. Jack Robinson’s future also remains in doubt and it’s unclear if he has a long term career with the Reds.
So the question is who should be Liverpool’s next left back..
We have been linked with numerous players in that position in the last two transfer windows. My five candidates would be:
Marcel Schmelzer – Borussia Dortmund
Luke Shaw – Southampton
David Alaba – Bayern Munich
Fabio Coentrao – Real Madrid
Albert Moreno – Sevilla
You may be thinking that the players mentioned above are out of our league. However it is looking very likely that Champions League is going to be back at Anfield next season and I do personally believe we will be able to attract the quality to add to our young squad.
Shaw, Alaba and Moreno fit the criteria of young and upcoming talent that would be able to develop and progress by playing week in week out gaining vital experience this also would add transfer value if the club decided to sell on in the future.
Schmelzer and Coentrao would add the experience, strength and depth to our squad as they have been plying their trade a lot longer and would still have their best years ahead of them. Nevertheless along with Alaba they would have vital Champions League experience and I see this being a potential reason why the Club have been looking at players of this calibre.
Marcel Schmelzer
Marcel Schmelzer is 26 years old who, at the age of eight, joined local club Fortuna Magdeburg, and he spent almost six years with Fortuna before moving to 1. FC Magdeburg, then on to Borussia Dortmund in 2005, he proved to be a late developer and only made his international debut at Under-21 level.
Schmelzer’s first major success was with Germany U-21s at the 2009 European Championship in Sweden. Keen to keep progressing, the defender commented that he “would like to be a regular at a Bundesliga club”, shortly after that triumph. Jürgen Klopp granted him his wish at Dortmund and he hasn’t looked back since, winning the Bundesliga title in 2011 and the league and cup double in 2012. In 2013 he won the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich.
He has played 178 times scoring 3 goals.
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw is the product of the renowned Southampton Academy and joined them at the age of eight. As a left-sided defender with a tendency to play attacking football, his main strengths are his speed, decision-making, and defending skills. Luke has shown this season in the Premier League that hard graft can get you playing at the highest level and I’m sure as he matures as a player he will be someone who will be talked about for years to come, only 18 he’s certainly got his best years ahead of him. This season Luke has played 31 times and created 27 chances.
He has played 63 times in all competitions for Southampton.
David Alaba
David started his career as a central midfielder but made the transition to left back. In a team that places such high a value on possession—and winning possession back when it is lost— Alaba would be a perfect fit. The 21 year old has played 25 times this season and scored 2 goals but has created 33 chances within matches. He is capable of playing in at least three positions, including left full back, defensive midfielder and left winger. He also has a pass accuracy of 90%
He has played 185 times in all competitions scoring 15 goals.
Fabio Coentrao
Fabio Coentrao is a more of a tackling full back than one who intercepts the ball. This is due in part to the way in which Real Madrid play – they like to press and engage opponents – but also due to his personal style. The 26 year-old has enough experience at the top level to really benefit the Reds’ back line, with his defensive abilities only surpassed by his speed and urgency going forward. Carlo Ancelotti currently prefers to select Brazilian Marcelo. So potentially the former Benfica man may want to a fresh challenge especially at his age to get first team football.
He has played 240 career games scoring 21 goals.
Alberto Moreno
Moreno has excelled in La Liga this season and the 21-year-old is in strong demand.
Moreno has many qualities to be a successful defender he has excellent ball interception and crossing skills. His overall defensive contribution is very strong at the age of 21 and it can only improve as he continues to ply is trade and learn the game. The Spanish international has played 26 games so far this term and has created 16 chances
Who would you like to see LFC sign as a left back in the summer? Do you see any of the five names mentioned having a potential career at Anfield?
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Robinson is good enough for any premier leage team and Enrique is quality too, however we do need a right back too replace Johnson who has never been the greatest defender and has lived on his attacking qualities which now appear to be on the wane.
Need a left back and a right back.. Those two positions would be my first port of call.. Kelly should be moved on as he cant seem to get a game anymore.. improves flanno as second choice right back along with Robinson second choice left back.. Enrique should also be moved.. I see suso having a good season and believe he can play cam or on either wing.. Get rid of borini assidi as i don’t see them as good enough
Haven’t we just won 11 games in a row with jon flanagan who isn’t supposed to be a left back? Clearly the lad has talent so why stall his development by buying someone in? Left back is hardly the most pressing position so keep flanno there. He will only get better. Use jack robinson as back up
If any of these left-backs become available – for a reasonable fee – then we should definitely give them a look at but I think both full-back positions could probably do with a bit of strengthening.