Liverpool have long been troubled with problems down their left side. They have struggled over the past few years in finding players to fit into the left back and left wing positions, and it has greatly affected the balance of the side. Could these problems finally be put to bed with the signings of Jose Enrique and Stewart Downing?
Liverpool’s left hand side has been problematic since Rafael Benitez took over in 2004. John Arne Riise had a good few years where he made the role his own, bombing forward, getting goals, and also putting in solid defensive performances. He was sold by Benitez after a drop in form, and after Stephen Warnock also left the club-a mistake in the eyes of many-Liverpool have struggled with the left hand side. They have relied upon Fabio Aurelio who is a quality player, but has spent more time injured than he has on the football field, and a host of others including Emiliano Insua and even Glen Johnson, but none have really made the role their own.
The left wing posisiton has been even more troubling, with no one except Albert Riera really making the role their out and out position. Liverpool have lacked the width that natural left footers would provide, with the likes of Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun always cutting inside, and leaving the side short of balance and far too narrow.
Liverpool look to have signed two top quality players in Downing and Enrique and will hope they can form a great partnership, lighting up the left flank and providing a winning formula. Both players are intelligent, and used to dealing with pressure and big expectations, as both are proven Premiership players, so they should have no troubled bedding into the Liverpool side. Once they get to know each others game and start to gel, they will provide Liverpool with the strong left side that they have desperately been missing out on in recent years.
Stewart Downing though not the quickest, is a line-hugging left footed winger-the type that Liverpool have needed for a long time. He will provide the width they need, as well as the creativity and crosses to supply the main men up front. He is also not afraid to drop back and cover and this is something he may have to do more of, with Enrique not afraid to get forward.
Jose Enrique is a top player, and unlucky not to be in the Spanish side, though it is hard for anyone to break into it at the moment. He is strong as an ox, and extremely difficult to shake off the ball, there are few that have managed to get past him regularly. He will provide the stability at the back that Liverpool need as well as a forward option. His overlapping runs alongside Downing will provide a real creative outlet for the reds. His skillful attacking runs from deep and link up play up the field, will see him and Downing providing a constant threat on the left hand side.
Both players looked impressive in the opener, Downing in particular provided good balance on the left, highlighting the benefit of having left footers on the left flank. Once the two settle in and start to gel, Liverpool should have a wealth of creativity and options down that side. In fact the partnership could prove so prosperous that it starts to show up the Liverpool right hand side as somewhat lacking in comparison.
Do you think these are the men to solve Liverpool’s problems on the left hand side? Comment below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.
Written by Lauren Rutter for FootballFanCast.com
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