Liverpool’s summer transfer business looked to have been completed when Christian Benteke put pen to paper earlier this month. However, there could be one more new name still to come through the door.
The departure of Andre Wisdom – who has joined Norwich City on a season-long loan – has left us with two starting fullbacks in Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno – an impressive backup teen in Joe Gomez, the injured Jon Flanagan and the out of favour Jose Enrique.
While Gomez has proved during our pre-season campaign that he’s perfectly adept at covering both on the right and left hand side of defence, we’ve not left ourselves with much breathing room, should he, Clyne or Moreno suffer an injury.
With Jon Flanagan unlikely to be fit and firing until at least the second-half of last season (via The Guardian), Brendan Rodgers could well find himself looking elsewhere to fill the void left by Wisdom’s departure.
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Here are our five potential candidates…
5) Joe Maguire (Liverpool)
The youngster was a surprise inclusion on the Reds’ pre-season tour of the Far East and got more game-time than any of his fellow youngsters – starting the first game and making two further substitute appearances. He looked tidy and efficient in each of those games and would certainly be the most cost-effective cover for our full-backs. Gomez would be our first choice back-up on both flanks, with Maguire ready to come in on the left if required.
4) Ludwig Augustinsson (FC Copenhagen)
The rumours linking us with this Swedish Under-21 full-back have gone a little quiet since the European Championships came to an end earlier this summer. Augustinsson, whose Sweden team finished the tournament as champions, would be available for as little as £2m – according to the Metro – making him a cost-effective option to offer us cover. He would be Moreno’s understudy on the left, with Gomez backing up Clyne on the right.
3) Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
The forgotten man. Enrique was once considered one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, before injury problems and an addiction to Instagram got the better of him. However, he’s still only 29, and brings with him the sort of experience that could be invaluable to some of his younger teammates. If the Spaniard can get himself in the right mind-frame then perhaps there is hope for him yet, even if it’s only as a back-up player to Moreno. If he is going to stay, we urge him to focus on getting fit and stop clowning around on social media. It’s irritating.
2) Angelo Fulgini (Valenciennes)
Reports emerged earlier this week – via the Daily Express – that Liverpool had offered a trial to this highly rated young right-back. The 18-year-old Frenchman, who the Express states has been heavily linked with Manchester United in the past, currently plays in his country’s second division. The Ivory Coast-born star would be a like for like replacement for Wisdom on the right-hand side, with Gomez likely covering for Moreno on the left.
1) Lucas Digne (Paris Saint Germain)
This is comfortably the most established name with which we’ve been linked. The French international, 22, has only been a semi-regular since leaving Lille for Paris Saint Germain in 2013. He has reportedly grown frustrated with his bit-part role and is ready to take up Liverpool’s offer (via ESPN). Digne would provide Moreno with very strong competition, something he sorely lacked last season, while Gomez would cover Clyne on the right. His agent claims no offer has yet been made, but that we’re monitoring the situation closely (via the Express).
