New Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly planning a 'considerable overhaul' of Liverpool's squad during the January transfer window, and Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson insists that a new left-back should be one of the club's top transfer priorities.
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Lawro noted:
"Two things scream out at me. Firstly, we need a defensive left back. Joe Gomez is not a left full back, and Alberto Moreno is more of a wing back or an attacking player".
Under Rodgers, Gomez - who cost Liverpool £6m - lost his place to £12m-rated Moreno after Rodgers switched to three at the back, but Klopp is unlikely to abandon that approach, which means that the left-back slot is up for grabs again.
As was often the case under Rodgers, Gomez was played out of position, and Klopp will hopefully abandon that practice too, which should mean that Moreno retains his place in the starting line-up.
Whether Klopp will replace Moreno at left back remains to be seen, though. In his favoured 4231 formation, full-backs are relied up to provide width (a prime example being Marcel Schmelzer, Dortmund's left back under Klopp), and the Moreno has the attacking chops and energy to get up and down the left flank.
Additionally, I'm sure Klopp will get more out of Moreno (defensively) than Rodgers, and if he does that, then the Reds may not need to spend money on a replacement.
If Klopp does decide to make a change, then promoting someone from Liverpool's youth set-up is a more likely option. Klopp promoted Schmelzer from Dortmund's youth system at the age of 17, and the German went on to become the club's first-choice left-back.
Klopp has already confirmed that he is big on bringing youth players into the first team set-up. During his Friday press conference, he enthused:
"The young guns are very interesting. When I manage a club, each young player should smile because their chance is bigger than it ever was. I don't care so much about experience. It's is an important point but it is not the most important".
Jon Flanagan will obviously come into the reckoning once he's fit, but if Klopp wants to upgrade the left-back position, then the likes of Joe Maguire, Brad Smith, Ryan Mclaughlin, and Kevin Stewart may also come into the equation.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Lawro noted:
"Two things scream out at me. Firstly, we need a defensive left back. Joe Gomez is not a left full back, and Alberto Moreno is more of a wing back or an attacking player".
Under Rodgers, Gomez - who cost Liverpool £6m - lost his place to £12m-rated Moreno after Rodgers switched to three at the back, but Klopp is unlikely to abandon that approach, which means that the left-back slot is up for grabs again.
As was often the case under Rodgers, Gomez was played out of position, and Klopp will hopefully abandon that practice too, which should mean that Moreno retains his place in the starting line-up.
Whether Klopp will replace Moreno at left back remains to be seen, though. In his favoured 4231 formation, full-backs are relied up to provide width (a prime example being Marcel Schmelzer, Dortmund's left back under Klopp), and the Moreno has the attacking chops and energy to get up and down the left flank.
Additionally, I'm sure Klopp will get more out of Moreno (defensively) than Rodgers, and if he does that, then the Reds may not need to spend money on a replacement.
If Klopp does decide to make a change, then promoting someone from Liverpool's youth set-up is a more likely option. Klopp promoted Schmelzer from Dortmund's youth system at the age of 17, and the German went on to become the club's first-choice left-back.
Klopp has already confirmed that he is big on bringing youth players into the first team set-up. During his Friday press conference, he enthused:
"The young guns are very interesting. When I manage a club, each young player should smile because their chance is bigger than it ever was. I don't care so much about experience. It's is an important point but it is not the most important".
Jon Flanagan will obviously come into the reckoning once he's fit, but if Klopp wants to upgrade the left-back position, then the likes of Joe Maguire, Brad Smith, Ryan Mclaughlin, and Kevin Stewart may also come into the equation.
Author: Jaimie K
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