Is there a left-back problem to solve at Liverpool?
Also don’t be surprised to see young John Flanagan deployed as a LB at times this season. He started at LB against Guangdong United and featured as a LB against Valerenga and looked just as good as he does as a RB. Many will agree that Flanagan’s greatest assets are his defensive maturity, tactical awareness, biting challenges and his control in possession. So he could quite easily be deployed as a LB, with the LB being expected to get forward less if Downing is bombing down that flank.
Personally I don’t believe it is necessary to buy a new full-back, I would rather spend any funds on a winger or more pressingly a CB; whilst on the subject I believe Cahill would be a fantastic option.
I believe the players I mentioned above will be able to cover the position until Jack Robinson is able to take up the task. For me Robinson is one of the brightest Academy graduates in recent history and will one day become a Liverpool and England regular. His step up may not be as long away as you might think either, he has been involved in every pre-season game for the first-team this season, and given his fantastic performance against Arsenal at the Emirates and the fact that he is the youngest player ever to have played for the club, when he was 16 years and 250 days old, could show a maturity beyond his years.
Another reason why I wouldn’t splash out on a new LB would be the current lack-of quality in this position in the market. Most recently we have been linked with Enrique, some reporters already suggesting a fee has been agreed between Liverpool and Newcastle. I must be honest in that I don’t rate Enrique very highly, he is useful going forward but is very often caught out at the back. When Newcastle came to Anfield I made a point of monitoring his individual performance and I was disappointed, as he was nothing compared to our full-backs of the day: Flannagan and Johnson. Players we have been linked to such as Bridge, Warnock, Cissokho and Perreria wouldn’t succeed for a variety of reasons, and would not be an improvement on what we currently have.
The only LB I would be interested in realistically, if he entered the market, would be Baines, but I can’t see Everton letting him go for anything under £20 million, seemingly out of our price range unless FSG decide to break the bank again. So unless a quality, proven LB enters the market I would prefer to stick with our current situation and wait until Robinson is ready to make the first team.
You can read more from Oscar by visiting his blog http://redsnevertire.blogspot.com/ or on twitter @OscWilliams
11 responses to “Is there a left-back problem to solve at Liverpool?”
i think you have a valid point i would rather a right out and out winger first and then a cb if possible and its not only a case of id like i think its essential we get both if we are to compete for a top four spot its a case of alot done a hell of alot more to do. YNWA.
Eden Hazard, Gary Cahil & Forlan is our answer for a top 4 finish!
I support d last commentary will 3 or 4 more signing like of eden hazard, forlan, erique and cahil.
Haha, hazard and forlan? You must be kidding. Not this year, or in the case of forlan, ever. Can we not stick to realistic possibilities?
Nobody is talking about degen don’t it means he’s no longer a liverpool player. The guy needs time at liverpool he may become the best defender in the epl. I wish him well
Sucka my baww!!!
offer city 20m for clichy or buy jose enrique for 10m then buy clichy next year for whatever fuming we never got him 120k a week he is worth 250k a week if jovanivic and joe cole are on 120k each
Degan is a terrible defender and I wouldn’t have him in a championship side never mind liverpool.He has only ever possessed pace but were looking for a defender not an olympic sprinter.
I think Insua could be on his way out after being dropped to reserves last week.Personally I would like to see a new CB more than a LB because as this article will show you even without Insua at the club Johnson or Aurelio can play there and we have Flanagan and Robinson who are more than willing to take there chance when giving the opportunity. I have always rated Scott Dann and think he could be a great signing for the club if we get him in Brum missed him when got injured last season.
Towards the end of last season, many were going “oh wow, fantastic, King Kenny has guided own kids well and have brought them through into the first team and we have wonderful kids doing well.”
Right now, many seem to forget that King Kenny still has an eye on these kids coming through, and he knows, he has cover. Of course, many would say, well we are looking for world class first choice LBs, Rbs, CBs etc. to be able to challenge for the title. Who’s to say King Kenny won’t be able to turn these players into world class players?
King Kenny philosophy is always to use players to play to their strengths. Therefore, there is no formation that will be set in black and white, but always changing, many times within one game, with the same set of players!
Our formation depends much upon Agger! He is THE defender that will make our formations work because he is the ONLY defender we have that can bring the ball up, therefore he will essentially be playing two roles. In a more attacked minded formation, he will play the Central Midfield holding role half the game.
Glen Johnson is best used Right midfield, right back is not his best position anymore. Let him use his pace and crosses.
Martin Kelly to play RB/LB with Carra’s guidance until Carra hands over the CB role to him.
John Flanagan to play LB until Martin moves into CB, then John goes RB.
King Kenny has done extremely well in the market and brought in players that have added depth. He still knows our kids and he has faith in them. We should have some faith in them as well.
pls. Aly Sissoko!.