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Does Liverpool’s latest signing demonstrate a lack of ambition?

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Jose Enrique off to Liverpool?Phil Thomson, ex-Liverpool defender and a man with many ties to the club claims that the Reds have all but completed a deal to sign Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique. The Spaniard is set to make a £15m move to Anfield this summer in what Thomson claims is a “done-deal”. I’m not too sure how happy the club will be if this story is true – but it’s clear that Thomson appears to be dealing with some inside information here and we have no reason to doubt the veracity of his claims.

It’s been crystal-clear since January that Liverpool are crying out for a left-back, but is Jose Enrique the man for the job? Couldn’t Liverpool use this as an opportunity to really show their aspirations when it comes to climbing back up the Premier League? Shouldn’t Liverpool go after the best possible options in this area?

My feeling is that though Enrique is a decent enough player, he’s not a marquee signing. The completion of the deal won’t have Liverpool fans jumping for joy and/or salivating with the same fervour that the Andy Carroll/Luis Suarez deals created.

Enrique has been at Newcastle United since 2007 and has experience a variety of ups and downs. He joined the club from Villareal for a fee believed to be £6.3m. If Thomson’s price-tag of £15m is correct then I believe it’s Newcastle who are doing a good bit of business. Has the 25-year-old done enough to merit having his price-tag more than doubling over the last 3-4 years?

The Spaniard is a strong tackler, has great awareness and has a surprisingly good ability to pick out a pass with his left foot – even at a distance. Though his first season at the club left something to be desired, he has improved on a season-by-season basis. He was the official Newcastle United player of the season for 2009-10. He’s continued to work hard and put in good performances this season. Essentially, he’s a strong player, but does he have the ability to help Liverpool challenge for the title?

I’d also question, why if he’s so good, are Liverpool not facing staunch competition from other top Premier League teams such as Arsenal who are known to be on the hunt for a left-back should Gael Clichy leave this summer. Jose Enrique may have some ability but let’s not forget that he was Newcastle’s left-back the season they got relegated – does he have the mentality to engineer success at the club?

At this stage in Liverpool’s development, I’d much rather see the Reds pursue players like Benfica’s Fabio Coentrao. The 23-year-old is an attacking left-back that has been making a real name for himself in Portugal over the course of the last two-three seasons. I’ve seen fans claim that Coentrao’s not as strong as Enrique in the defensive side of his game but he gets up and down the line with such speed and has a mean tackle. Admittedly, however, it’s the getting forward and supporting the attack where he excels.

I just think that seeing Coentrao’s name on a team-sheet is more likely to strike fear into the hearts of the opposition than Enrique’s. There’s every chance that he’d be a more expensive purchase, but Liverpool have the money and need to show their intent. I for one hope that the Enrique deal isn’t quite as ‘done’ as Thommo claims.

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