The most consistent complaint following the Europa League Final defeat to Sevilla was that Liverpool desperately need a new left-back.
Alberto Moreno’s defensive blunders set the tone for Sevilla’s comeback win, and following a season of similar mishaps, his role as Liverpool’s starting left-back is on very thin ice.
As a result, Liverpool will use this transfer window to strengthen the position, and a number of interesting left-backs have already been linked.
Any of these take your fancy…?
1) Ben Chilwell – Leicester City
According to ITV Sport, Leicester’s teenage left-back is expected to sign for Liverpool once he returns from the Toulon tournament with England. A £4m deal has been lined up for the prodigy, who came to Klopp’s attention via his best friend David Wagner, who managed Chilwell on loan at Huddersfield earlier this season. Obviously he’s a big promise, but is he an improvement on Moreno..?
2) Jonas Hector – FC Koln
Germany’s starting left-back is the obvious choice. He’s 25, plays for a club who wouldn’t demand big money and is a defender first and an attacker second – something fans are crying out for from Liverpool’s prospective new left-back. Hector has been made available by Koln and has spoken of his desire to work under Klopp, via the Metro.
3) Raphael Guerreiro – Lorient
According to the 22-year-old’s agent, Liverpool are one of four clubs to have made a bid for the Portuguese fullback, reports ESPN. He’ll start for his country at the Euros, but is more renowned for his offensive prowess than his defensive ability – which will worry supporters. In fact, he’s even shorter than Moreno – standing at just under 5 ft. 7′. Do we need our new fullback to perhaps be a little more imposing…?
4) Kieran Gibbs – Arsenal
Gibbs is listed in the Express as a candidate for our left-back problem. The Arsenal man plays second fiddle to Nacho Monreal at the Emirates, which has meant he’s missed out on Euro 2016 selection with England. This is a shame, as Gibbs is a talent and at 26, is entering his peak years. He has many similarities with our starting right-back Nathaniel Clyne, in fact. He’s consistent, solid positionally and investigates when going forward rather than bombards! If he’s available, Gibbs wouldn’t be the worst summer signing.
5) Ricardo Rodriguez – Wolfsburg
The Swiss left-back is our wonder-target. If we got this guy, we’d almost accept buying no genuine attackers, such a coup it would be. The Express claim Real Madrid are very interested, despite the fact they’ve already got Marcelo, but that he’s on a shortlist of potential Liverpool acquisitions as well. Klopp will know the 23-year-old well from his time in the Bundesliga, where bar the versatile but brilliant David Alaba, Rodriguez is the most highly regarded left-back around. He has a superb set-piece delivery and whipped cross, but prides himself on defensive basics as well. He’d cost a bomb, and Wolfsburg proved with Kevin De Bruyne last summer that you’ll have to break the bank for their best players. Still – it doesn’t hurt to hope!