Not buying a left-back will be borderline incompetent
I know I’m not the only person to say this, in fact, I’d be surprised if there’s any Liverpool fan not saying it, but the Reds really, really, really need to sign another left-back.
Now, on a weekend where Nathaniel Clyne put in one of the worst performances since he joined Liverpool, you might think this is odd timing but if truth be told, I’m fine with Clyne. He’s shown that he’s a good player. I would like us to buy someone to back the former Southampton man up, but that’s more as cover rather than out of necessity.
However, left back is a whole other issue. I feel, and this is just my opinion, that we simply do not have a good enough left back at the club.
Alberto Moreno might develop into another player, but despite what he said in the media, Jurgen Klopp obviously doesn’t think he’s good enough, the selection of James Milner confirms that.
However, if there is a question over Moreno’s place, I can tell you one thing, the answer isn’t Milner.
He’s fine as a possible replacement for the odd game, but in no way should he be Liverpool’s starter. We saw against Burnley that Milner doesn’t trust his left foot. Every time he got the ball, he had to cut inside, slowing things down.
Now, he’s not the only reason as to why the Reds struggled, after all, pretty much every player in a Toxic Thunder shirt played poorly, but it was clear that Burnley were happy to let Milner have the ball. They stayed compact and challenged him to beat them from out wide, and he couldn’t do it.
I’d actually have faith in Milner being solid in defence, more solid than Moreno, but attacking-wise, his deployment on the left is an issue.
I’ll be honest, people tell me Moreno is good going forward but I don’t see it. Sure, he’s lightning fast, but I don’t think he’s a great crosser, he’s scored a couple of goals but he’s not a consistent goal threat and quite frankly, I think he’s a bit thick when it comes to decision-making.
Now I’m not Jurgen Klopp, he’s forgotten more about football than I will ever know, but I think it’s fair to question him here.
I simply refuse to believe that there aren’t any better left-backs out there who could come in and play for Liverpool. He must know that, the club must know that and quite frankly, if they don’t, I’d question the competence of our scouting network.
Now, the next question is value. I get that every player has his worth but in a summer when the club might end up in profit, I think it’s justifiable to pay over the odds. If FC Koln want £20m for Jonas Hector, for example, why not just say “f*ck it, let’s do it”?
Like I say, left-back issues aren’t why Liverpool lost at Burnley, not completely anyway, but for the good of the team and our season, Klopp and co. have to get one in.
It might be unfair to say, but I think it’s borderline incompetent if they don’t.