The left-back position is a problem position for Liverpool. Paul Konchesky’s now back at the club after a loan spell at Championship side Nottingham Forest, but it’s fair to say that he’s not going to be part of Liverpool’s starting-XI next season. Fabio Aurelio, a capable and adaptable footballer could probably do the job, but given his injury-prone nature may better be suited as a stand-in rather than a first choice left-back.
The lack of options in this department has seen Kenny Dalglish turn to youth and whilst 17-year-old Jack Robinson has impressed sporadically when given the opportunity to do so, he can hardly be viewed as a first-choice left-back for next season.
As all teams are built from the back, I’d argue that filling the left-back position is the most important task that Kenny Dalglish will face this summer. If Liverpool don’t find the right man, there’s every chance that all the positive energy surrounding the Dalglish-engineered revolution at the club will disperse and come to nothing.
The papers know this and they’ve had a field day linking Liverpool to just about every left-back in European football. Names like Arsenal’s Gael Clichy and Newcastle’s Jose Enrique have appeared frequently, whilst many fans hope that Liverpool will look to Benfica’s Fabio Coentrao for a solution.
My personal choice, however, would have to be Everton’s own Leighton Baines. I understand that any such move is extremely unlikely. He’s very much an Everton man; he’s happy and he’s settled and he’s unlikely to desire a move across Merseyside. Moreover, he signed a new five year deal with Everton at the end of last season, so would command an impressive transfer fee. On the other hand, Liverpool do have the cash to tempt Everton into letting him go. Whilst it’s unlikely, I don’t think you can say that it’s impossible.
We ran a poll on this very site regarding who was the left-back of the season and Baines came in a close second to Benoit Assou-Ekotto. It’s my opinion, however, that it’s Baines that has had the more impressive season. Even disregarding the fact that he’s a remarkable, assured performer, his stats speak for themselves: 4 goals and 11 assists from the left-back position this season. Remarkable.
I can’t help but feel that Baines offers a better all-round solution to Liverpool’s left-back problem than any of his rivals. Gael Clichy is too attacking minded and not a good enough defender, whilst Jose Enrique is a steady, assured footballer who could offer more going forward. Leighton Baines on the other hand can defend and attack with equal aplomb, is a determined performer and backs up his passion with genuine ability.
As unlikely as any such deal may be, I can’t help but wish that Liverpool will test the waters with a bid this summer.
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Leighton Baines! Really?
Baines is yet another overrated English Player, plus he plays for Everton!! no way will he be allowed 2 move to Liverpool… I’d Like to see Insua be given a chance again in the team next season.
why not!!!!??? he did love lfc and watchn all our game b4 he gos to everton
are you stark raving bonkers insua back you would be better bringing john arne back
I agree with the author of this article! Leighton Baines is class and would be a great addition to solve our left back problem. Apparently he was a boyhood Liverpool fan as well but I don’t know if he still is as he now play for the blue noses!
He’s crap and overrated. Marginally better than Konchesky and he’s awful too.
Watched him play for England once hoping to be impressed and he was awful.
Not LFC quality.
Next.
I agree he’s very average, if he was french no one would be after him
i think we have enough youngsters who are capable in that position but if we were to pay for a left back im sure we could get much better than baines for that sort of money
I agree, he has had the most impressive runn at the left back position this year in the EPL, and he would be my second choice. First would be Lahm. Of all the lefts back in the world he is at the topp of my list. Coentrao would be my third choice and perhaps the best attacker, but i fear he could struggel on the defensive side in the EPL.
Errrrr. I think the man I would bring to Liverpool if I could would be Lionel messi. Still young and plenty to play for…….
stop talkin shit
Liverpool fan have no idea the current situation of their club. LFC couldn’t attract good & world class players for certain of time. Why? Check for youself. I will not required much on the players that Liverpool going to buy. Just don’t think some world class players want to join Liverpool for the Football sake! Is the money do the talking! Let’s face it. So, don’t expect too much. Hope the Liverpool to get better result for next season. Their 18th time record already being beaten by arc rival. So, they much catch back as soon as possible. WHo care what players their going to buy. As long they can deliver.
what liverpool have lacked in recent years is genuine threat in wide areas, until that is resolved we wont compete for the league.
So while I agree we need a good Left Back, I dont believe that it is the most important decision.
In my opinion we should be looking at 4 key areas, Left back, Right Wing, Left Wing and defensive mid.
If we improve these with players for the first team… not squad players, I believe we will have a good chance to compete. The biggest challenge is to do this within whatever budget is agreed!
Don’t wanna waste…………………
Whats wrong with young Jack Robinson?
Whilst I agree we need a few players, id rather see Robinson play Left Back than Leighton Baines.
LFCs future back 5
Reina, Robinson, Kelly, Wisdom, Flanagan.
Are you an american? You dont seem to know an awfull lot about
(a) The Liverpool Everton Rivalry
(b) Player Ability
K – been listening to Andy Gray and Sky Sports too much I fear…
Liverpool have had plenty of width for the last few years…if you actually knew anything about the game you’d have realised that Liverpools width (like most other modern teams) is provided by the Fullbacks…something Insua, Aurelio and Johnson have done very well at…
This last paragraphs has to many expletitives to be included. Do feel free to try again though. – Mod
Referees H. Webb and M. Atkinson are both god refs. And also 100 % anti-Liverpool!
They have been hurting LFC tremendously for a very long time by interpreting the rules harshly against LFC, which is unlawful according to the rules of fairness!
Yesterday (15 May 2011) Webb did this in the 0-2 defeat to Spurs:
9 minute: goal – possible freekick to LFC?
26 min. : P. Crouch acting, gets a freekick – destroyng a LFC pressure
28min. : LFC contra L Suarez kicked from behind but no freekick no yellow card
29 min. : Rose clearly commits penalty against Kuyt – not given
45 min. : P. Crouch commits freekick against L. Leiva – results in a chance for Spurs
SECOND HALF
46 min. : S. Pienaar should have been booked for a freekick against D. Kuyt
47 min. : P. Crouch commits freekick but not given – results in a chance to Spurs
54 min. : SCANDAL: Flanagans lawful shoulder tackle gives Spurs a penalty – outside of box!
77 min. : Danish commentator: ” Webb has had many fifty-fifty decisions against Liverpool”
83 min. : D. Kuyt`s acting gets LFC wrong freekick, danish commentator:”you could say LFC
has had such a freekick in coming”
Baines is indeed a good player,but his commitment with everton will make it impossible for the suggested move.
I’d bring Gary Neville and take him up the arse in the trophy room.
Jose Enrique is very well thought of in Newcastle he would suit Liverpool perfectly. Phil Thompson seems to think the deal is done.
If you could bring in one player… out of all the players out there you chose Baines? I would have gone Messi personally…
I was being realistic.
I think Baines is a great player and its a massive plus point him being British but I’d have have to say Coentrao, almost certainly the best left back on the planet. Anyway do we really think Moyes would allow him to move across stanley park and insult Everton fans, i think not!