Liverpool’s Scandinavian scout Jakob Friis-Hansen revealed today that the Reds are tracking two Swedish full backs, FC Cophenhagen’s Oscar Wendt and FC Basel’s Iranian born Behrang Safari. So who are these two defenders?
Oscar Wendt – is a 25 year old left back who currently plays for Danish side FC Copenhagen. He started his senior career in his native Sweden with IFK Gothenburg, after playing as a youth player for IFK Skovde, and he played for Gothenburg in three seasons between 2003 and 2006. During his time at the club he made 91 appearances and appeared 14 times for Sweden’s U21s as well as achieving a call up to the seniors. His big move came at the end of the 2005/06 season when FC Copenhagen offered 6million DKK (roughly £600k) for the player.
Initially Wendt was backup to Norwegian full back Andre Bergdolmo but he was given some game time in his first season at Copenhagen, appearing in some Champions League matches during the 2006/07 campaign, including a 3-1 win over Celtic. He would however continue as second choice behind Danish international Niclas Jensen and would struggle for first team opportunities during his first two seasons at the club. The 2008/09 campaign was his breakthrough year though, and replaced Jensen in the team as he impressed with Copenhagen in the UEFA Cup. His performances attracted interest from Italy, Germany and England including West Ham and Tottenham, and he got his first call up for Sweden in eighteen months.
Over the last two years, Wendt has developed as a player in the first team at Copenhagen; he is described as physically strong but also as having the pace to cope with most opposition wingers. He can also play at right back and on occasion has been asked to play on the left wing, delivering pin-point accurate crosses from the left hand side. Wendt also takes most of the set-pieces for Copenhagen, whipping in balls from the right hand side for in-swinging corners and free kicks.
Continue Reading on Page 2 to learn more about Behrang Safari . . .
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Who are they? No marks!
Are we genuinely looking at these players? So does that mean Roy has decided it was a mistake to sign Konchesky and re-sign Aurelio? Surely we just need 1 really good left back, like Coentrao, and then decide which of our 3 left-backs (incl. Insua, if he comes back in January) will be the backup. We don’t need any more mid-level, Konchesky-class left-backs.
he afraid to manage star players..he cant handle them..Liverpool’s manager is too big for hodgson, he should walk off..
Why not, that’ll give us two swedes and a cabbage
It’s quite clear that we need a new quality left back. Konchesky simply isn’t good enough so I think it’d be good if we can get Wendt on the cheap.