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2 Goals, 12 Assists – Liverpool May Not Find A Better Fit Than This Celtic Left-back To Solve Defensive Woes

Kieran Tierney

Why Kieran Tierney Would Be A Good Signing For Liverpool

Liverpool look set to return to the UEFA Champions League for the next season after a two-year hiatus, in Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in England. The Reds currently sit 3rd in the Premier League table, 3 points ahead of the 4th-placed Manchester City, who do have a game in hand.

But considering their relatively easier run-in at the end of the season, Liverpool should manage to hold on to their spot or even a 4th-place finish would suffice to participate in the Champions League next season, even if Manchester United go on to win the UEFA Europa League.

With European football all but certain for the next season at Anfield, Klopp will need to dive into the transfer market and make some quality signings in the summer to strengthen some key areas. The biggest area of concern for Liverpool this season has been their defence.

Klopp hasn’t been able to find a solid centre-back partnership this season, which has been one of the major reasons for falling out of the title race after starting the season in a brilliant way. Signing a new centre-back will no doubt be at the top of the priorities for the German tactician.

Kieran Tierney

However, another important area that will need reinforcing in the summer is the left-back position. Liverpool have played the entire season with veteran midfielder James Milner as a make-shift full-back on the left-hand side of the defence with Alberto Moreno struggling to break into the first team again. Milner has done an admirable job, slotting into an unfamiliar role and has done so with an amazing level of consistency as well. The former England international has played 37 games, with a return of 7 goals and 4 assists – quite the numbers for a full-back.

But the former Manchester City man is hardly a solution in the longer run. The 31-year old isn’t getting any younger and with extra fixtures a definite for next season, Liverpool will need a natural left-back in their ranks.

One name that has been doing the rounds in the tabloids with links of a move to Anfield is Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney. The 19-year old Scotsman has burst on to the scenes at the Parkhead over the past two years and has made the left-back slot his own with some scintillating displays for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Tierney, along with the likes of Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair has been one of the best players for the Bhoys and has played a huge role this season, that has already seen them win the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish League Cup. They stand a chance of completing the domestic treble, having made it to the finals of the Scottish Cup as well.

The 19-year old Celtic youth academy graduate has played 37 times across all competitions this season and has contributed to his team’s cause with 2 goals and 12 assists – great numbers for a full-back. They make for an even better reading when one takes into factor his young age.

Tierney, in all sense, is a modern full-back, full of attacking intent and vigour. The Scottish international will be a perfect fit for the high-tempo style of play at Liverpool with his relentless running up and down the flank.

Tierney loves to bomb up the pitch with every opportunity he gets, with his searing pace and provides width on the wing. The 19-year old has the technical ability to pick out his teammates in the box with a pinpoint cross or an accurate cut-back. He also has a mean left foot, with which he can strike the ball sweetly on goal from distance. A tenacious player by nature, Tierney is a strong tackler and is always up for a physical battle and uses his pace really well to cover the ground and get into good positions defensively, making him a perfect fit for the Premier League.

The Celtic ace is on contract with the club until the summer of 2021 and Rodgers will definitely not entertain the idea of losing one of his prized assets in the summer. But Liverpool may not find a better fit than Tierney. He has all the attributes in his repertoire that will make him an instant hit in the Premier League and will be an excellent addition to the ranks if Liverpool manage to sign him in the summer.

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