For all the talk about possible transfer targets that Liverpool could be, should be, maybe and may not be trying to sign, there a few stand out positions that seem to be in focus. Having already made signings in the goalkeeping, midfield and attacking positions, the club look to be aiming to bring in a new attacking midfielder as well as a new centre half in addition to the free transfer of Kolo Toure from Manchester City.
I’m not particularly surprised by the club looking at improving these areas, but one thing that does concern me slightly is that there doesn’t seem to be much being said or written to indicate that Liverpool are in the market for at least one new full back. I believe that this is an area where we look very weak in terms of depth, especially in the left back position.
Last year, our back up left back was our starting right back; Glen Johnson, and by the end of the season Glen looked like he was running on empty, having played a lot of games and his performance level dropped quite significantly.
It looks as though Brendan Rodgers will set up his side with inverted wingers again this season and if that is the case, Liverpool’s width will need to be supplied by the full backs. That means a lot of work for the men deployed in those positions, and it’s almost inevitable that one will suffer an injury or loss of form, as well as possibly looking fatigued, and that’s where you need your next cabs off the rank to be ready to come in and cover.
In fairness, I’d say we are pretty well covered at right back. Glen Johnson is quite obviously the first choice in that role, and behind him he has the returning Martin Kelly, backed up by the impressive Andre Wisdom who did well in that role last season when called upon, and behind him is John Flanagan.
What does worry me is how the club looks in terms of depth at the left back position. To start, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of José Enrique anyway. He played well at times, but he is far too inconsistent and at times he looks tactically inept, a trait which he covers with his strong physical presence. If you look past Enrique, our next left back – other than moving Johnson over – is Jack Robinson. Robinson is a decent young player but he’s far from the finished article, and in no way is he ready to play 10-15 league games if Enrique did suffer an injury. I’d imagine in a scenario where Enrique did suffer an injury, Liverpool would deploy Johnson at left back and play Kelly right back. That’s fine and would work well, but then what if Johnson picks up an injury – which is he prone to doing. Liverpool would likely have play Robinson at left back, or perhaps move Daniel Agger out of the centre of defence to play on the left hand side.
Ideally, in my mind anyway, Liverpool would sign a starting left back this summer, and drop Enrique down to play as a back up. He would be a good option on the bench in terms of cover, and also as an impact substitute in an attacking sense as he played well in the wide left position pre-Christmas last season.
Full backs are such key players in the formation that Brendan Rodgers wants Liverpool to play and Liverpool should be looking at ensuring we have the best players they can in these roles. In Glen Johnson they have a very good player and he’s backed up by two talented youngsters. The question remains, are Liverpool adequately covered at left back? I’m not so sure. In fact, I’m not sure the starting left back is good enough.
Comments.
Loading comments…