---
title: "There’s Wisdom in Trusting Andre"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/columns/theres-wisdom-in-trusting-andre/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "Columns"
published: "2013-07-26T12:00:44Z"
modified: "2013-08-23T10:36:20Z"
---

# There’s Wisdom in Trusting Andre

If you tune in to our **[TBT Talks podcast](https://readliverpoolfc.com/podcast/)** – and if you don’t, why not?!? – you’ll have recently heard a discussion about Liverpool’s current central defender situation, and in particular the current options in terms of our fourth choice in the role.

As things currently stand, it looks like Martin Skrtel will be staying at the club – although one can never be too sure about such things – after all, the transfer window is still wide open and you are only moments away from a ‘Sky Sources’ message appearing on the bottom of your TV screen. However, the rather loud rumblings that started during last season about a possible departure for the Slovakian defender have, at least for the time being, somewhat softened into a quiet murmur.

Also the rumours that Liverpool will be signing another first choice central defender have seemingly disappeared too, as the manager himself said the club are at present only looking at bringing in another left back and a forward player.

Therefore it seems highly likely that Liverpool will start next season with Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel as their first, second and third choice centre backs respectively. So the question remains, who is currently fourth in the pecking order?

It may not seem like a hugely significant question with all that is currently happening at the club, but it certainly should be something that is on the mind of Brendan Rodgers. After all, Liverpool are only a Daniel Agger injury -and a Martin Skrtel suspension for example – away from being in a position where they need their fourth choice man to step into the role.

It seems fair to assume that Sebastian Coates isn’t the man who will fill this role. Coates often looks like he lacks the hunger, passion and desire to be a successful defender in England, and as so elegantly put by Paul Machin from Redmen TV, looks like he has “the heart of a poet.” Ever since he was bullied by Oldham Athletic, and in particular their target man Matt Smith, Rodgers has been reluctant to use Coates and only did so at the end of last season when he had limited options available.

So if not Coates, then who? Well, there is the option of buying a young defender to develop at the club, but that seems somewhat illogical when the club already has some young defenders waiting in the wings.

The first of these younger players is Martin Kelly. Despite the fact that he made his debut five years ago, and has gone on to make an England appearance, Kelly is still only 23 years old. There have been numerous calls to convert Kelly from a right back to a centre back and it’s obvious to see why. He has the build and physique of a central defender and it has always been assumed that he’d follow in the footsteps of Jamie Carragher by moving from full back to a central role. However, Brendan Rodgers seems reluctant to move Kelly from full back. This is probably due to the club’s current lack of depth at right back, and perhaps we’ll have to wait for John Flanagan and Ryan McLaughlin to be further on in their development before Rodgers decides to use Kelly in a central role.

The other young player Liverpool could use as fourth choice, and the man who I believe should fill this role is Andre Wisdom. Like so many young defenders, such as the man mentioned earlier – Jamie Carragher, Wisdom was used at full back in his first season as a first team player and he performed well in the role. Despite that, Wisdom is clearly more suited to being a central defender and he has the talent and potential to be very good in the role for years to come. Anybody who has watched Andre for the reserve/U21 side in the past couple of seasons will be aware of how well he can play the role. He is big and strong, and like a former great Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia, Wisdom always seems to know where the ball is going. His reading of the game is one of his major strengths, an attribute that all quality central defenders have.

Rumours began circulating over the summer regarding a possible loan move away for Andre. Personally I’d see such a move as a mistake, especially now that the club don’t look like bringing in another central defender. I believe that Wisdom should stay at the club and learn and develop under the guidance of both Alex Inglethorpe and Brendan Rodgers. If he was say fifth or sixth choice, then a loan move would make sense, but if he is fourth choice, then he should see enough game time to justify staying where he is and there would be no – pardon the pun – wisdom in letting him go elsewhere. If he continues progressing at the rate he is now, we’ll be seeing a lot more of Andre Wisdom in a Liverpool shirt.

Future club captain maybe?