Will this Wigan duo do for Liverpool?

Liverpool are being linked with moves for both Wigan left back Maynor Figueroa and former Latics centre-half/defensive midfielder Paul Scharner, but are they of the required quality to become successes at Anfield?

To start off with Honduran full back Figueroa, there is no doubt that the Reds need another left back. It is the priority signing of the summer, and with the lack of money to spend on new players, Roy Hodgson must look for a decent signing at a good price. With a valuation of £8million for a player such as Reto Ziegler at Sampdoria, the price tag of £6million for Wigan’s 27 year old left back doesn’t seem a bad option. Although it does feel a bit unsettling that we are competing with Sunderland, rather than Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, for the signing of the Honduran, Figueroa has proven over the last few seasons in the Premier League at the back for Wigan that he can be relied upon.

Strong, powerful and relatively good in the air, the Honduran has impressed many since his move from Olympia in his native Honduras back in 2008. With Erik Edman out injured, Steve Bruce felt he had no other option at left back and so he fielded Figueroa from the start. He impressed so much that he immediately became the regular left back in Bruce’s side, excelling just as well in attacking positions as at back. A good crosser of the ball and a powerful shot, no more aptly demonstrated than his half way line free kick in the 2-2 draw against Stoke City last season, he could be a useful addition to the team, although he should only really be a short term solution.

In regards to Paul Scharner, the only real use the Reds would have for him is his ability to adapt to different positions. He would be a utility player who could fill in at either centre half or as a defensive midfielder when there are a high number of injuries. Probably the most likely reason for the rumoured interest is the fact he is available on a free, and Hodgson has already expressed his concerns with the lack of depth in the senior squad. With a lack of money, Scharner could be seen as a good way of adding some numbers to the team.

A move to the Reds seems to be more likely because Hodgson was rumoured to be interested in bringing the player to Fulham from Wigan last summer when the Austrian only had a year left on his contract. He would definitely be a useful addition to the defensive midfield area where in the absence of Javier Mascherano or his successor, he could fill in and cover the back four. Something he would most probably do better than Lucas Leiva, whose talents should be utilised further up the pitch. Scharner is also a great character to have in the dressing room who could improve morale and promote a good atmosphere among the squad.

In an ideal world of course, both Figueroa and Scharner would not be described as made for Liverpool, but in Figueroa you may have a solid reliable full back purchased at a good price, while with Scharner you would have an experienced wise head who could fill a space on the subs bench while assisting at times when there is an injury crisis in the team.

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