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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Is left back the position we really want to put a huge signing into this summer. Surely a solid dependable player is enough, where we really want to spend money is in someone creative in midfield/wing postion, also possibly a centre back and hopefully not to replace Pepe.
So I think this signing is about perfect for the up coming transfer window. Someone who is used to the Premiership.
Same thing I’ve been saying for years Billy – from before we splurged our budget on Glen Johnson and were left with makeshift players on the wings still…
This article is pure speculative nonsense. How many left backs strike fear into the opposition?
If he can do the job who cares how much or what his name is. Only an idiot would say it is a ‘lack of ambition.’
There is too much of this in football these days, mindless gossip and speculation.
Don’t write any more ‘articles’ here mate. Heat magazine are looking for writers like you.
You’re right. Full-backs never worry opposition.
Will love to see contrao on the left but we badly need GARY CAHILL more.Thus,23 + 20 =43 million on the defense which is not conceding much under KK.
That will be purely stupid.However,we need to very pacy wingers and 1 more striker.
cahill=20 million
wingers =35 million
striker = 20 million
total = 75 million
The author obviously knows nothing bauot Enrique. If he did, he’d not have written the piece. I followed him during Newcastles previous season, and to say that he and Carrol carried the magpies into the prem is no understatement. It was an outside hope that we get them both last summer, so this comes a great news.
NOTES TO AUTHOR – 1. Do your research
2. Not being a household name doesn’t make you a bad player.
Yeh right, only sign big names Kenny, forget anyone that isn’t demanding silly money as they can’t be good enough surely! <~~~ SARCASM for those who don't recognise it!
On that basis, we would never have signed a lanky nobody from Willem Twee a few years ago. We couldn't even pronounce his surname, most people get it wrong even now he has gone. He cost us just 2.5m quid and gave us several years of absolutely top class defensive service. Sami Hyypia ring any bells?
Enrique is already proven in the prem, Coentrao is not. We can't afford to take risks, we need to know we are buying better and Enrique is most certainly better than anyone at the club currently. Try asking Andy Carroll how many times he benefited from excellent diagonal passes and crosses from Enrique at Newcastle!
The only thing this article demonstrates is a fundamental lack of understanding of football by the idiot that wrote it.
Or does it demonstrate the writer wishing Liverpool to show more ambition and demonstrate a willingness to win the league rather than just gain top 5/6?
Enrique is decent, Coentrao is superb, I know which one I would like.