The left-back position is a problem position for Liverpool. Paul Konchesky’s now back at the club after a loan spell at Championship side Nottingham Forest, but it’s fair to say that he’s not going to be part of Liverpool’s starting-XI next season. Fabio Aurelio, a capable and adaptable footballer could probably do the job, but given his injury-prone nature may better be suited as a stand-in rather than a first choice left-back.
The lack of options in this department has seen Kenny Dalglish turn to youth and whilst 17-year-old Jack Robinson has impressed sporadically when given the opportunity to do so, he can hardly be viewed as a first-choice left-back for next season.
As all teams are built from the back, I’d argue that filling the left-back position is the most important task that Kenny Dalglish will face this summer. If Liverpool don’t find the right man, there’s every chance that all the positive energy surrounding the Dalglish-engineered revolution at the club will disperse and come to nothing.
The papers know this and they’ve had a field day linking Liverpool to just about every left-back in European football. Names like Arsenal’s Gael Clichy and Newcastle’s Jose Enrique have appeared frequently, whilst many fans hope that Liverpool will look to Benfica’s Fabio Coentrao for a solution.
My personal choice, however, would have to be Everton’s own Leighton Baines. I understand that any such move is extremely unlikely. He’s very much an Everton man; he’s happy and he’s settled and he’s unlikely to desire a move across Merseyside. Moreover, he signed a new five year deal with Everton at the end of last season, so would command an impressive transfer fee. On the other hand, Liverpool do have the cash to tempt Everton into letting him go. Whilst it’s unlikely, I don’t think you can say that it’s impossible.
