Portuguese left-back Rafa Soares has spoken incredibly highly of Liverpool and claimed he’s flattered by reports linking him to our club.
The 22-year-old is contracted to Porto, but spent last term on loan at Rio Ave, helping them to a 7th place finish in the Primeira Liga.
He’s a regular for the impressive Portugal Under-21s and has been touted as a future star.
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Liverpool desperately need left-back enforcements, with Alberto Moreno likely to depart once a suitable offer arrives. Soares would provide nice, left-footed competition for James Milner, and would seemingly welcome a potential transfer.
“I know I’ve been followed by English clubs especially after our campaign,” Soares told Omnisport (via FourFourTwo). “Liverpool are a great club and to be linked is an enormous honour for me.
“I followed Liverpool from a young age and I shiver every time I listen to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ it’s unique. Liverpool are famous and popular in Portugal where people value the history of a club.:
He did however reiterate his desire to fight for first-team football at his boyhood club, which is totally fair.
“I’m naturally flattered, but I’m a Porto player and focused on succeeding here,” he continued.
“My main goal is to establish myself and get first-team football. I feel ready and confident that after my last season I will be given a chance.
“I keep my feet on the ground and focus on climbing my way up one step at a time. Fans support and trust me to become a symbol of the club, as I have been here for over 10 years and feel Porto in my bones.”
Soares is a talent, as is former target Ryan Sessegnon, but many Reds want Jurgen Klopp to sign a left-back who can walk straight into the first-team. Milner did really well during his debut campaign in the role, but his lack of a left-foot means he’s not much use on the overlap and he’s shown defensive naivety at times as well.
Benjamin Mendy would be a terrific addition, but the Monaco ace will set us back a whopping fee. Time will tell who Klopp eventually opts with, of course, but if we went for Soares, it looks like he’d certainly consider coming.